Boatswain freed in New Year’s Eve cable damage investigation

A boatswain from the cargo vessel Fitburg who had been held in pre-trial detention on suspicion of damaging a telecommunications cable has been released, Finnish news site Yle reported.

Helsinki District Court confirmed to Yle that the man was freed on the orders of the lead investigator in late March. Instead of detention, he has been placed under a travel ban as he remains under suspicion for the offences.

The suspect is an Azerbaijani national. He was taken into custody in early January.

According to Yle’s information, he served as the Fitburg’s boatswain.

The National Bureau of Investigation (KRP) suspects that the ship’s anchor damaged an Elisa telecommunications cable in the Gulf of Finland on New Year’s Eve. The damage occurred in Estonia’s exclusive economic zone.

The case is being investigated as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage and aggravated interference with telecommunications.

Lead investigator, Detective Superintendent Kimmo Huhta-aho, said four people are suspected of the crime. He added that the investigation may be completed within two weeks.

The Fitburg operates under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

At the time of the incident, the ship’s crew consisted of 14 members, reported to be nationals of Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.