Proceeding on the Arctic Sea case starts in Arkhangelsk

23.12.2010 Arkhangelsk regional court started today a trial over participants of Arctic Sea hijacking. Six persons are on the dock – three are stateless, other three are Russian, Latvian, and Estonian. They can be imprisoned for 10-15 years with possible additional fine up to RUR 500 000.

Dry cargo ship Arctic Sea sailing from Finland to Algeria with a cargo of timber was captured by pirates in the Baltic Sea on July 24, 2009. Captors held the ship and 15 hostages right up to the release operation carried out by Russian Navy on Aug 17, 2009.