19.09.2009
Russian investigators have left the Arctic Sea cargo ship on Saturday with no evidence of unauthorized cargo, said Vladimir Markin, the official representative of Investigative Committee at the RF Public Prosecutor's Office.
According to his words, the vessel was carrying only wood and timber. There was no any cargo compromising Russia.
Thorough internal and external inspection of the vessel was carried out with the help of current technologies, added Markin.
The suggestions of
Arctic Sea's illegal cargo (drugs or
S-300 missiles) were previously said in media.
The ship with 4 crewmembers is presently off Canaries' coast. Material evidence collected on
Arctic Sea by the investigators is sent to Russia by one of the ships escorting the RNS
Ladny corvette. Among the evidence items were the piece of hijacker's ammunition and the boat had been concealed in timber framing and covered with canvas.
On July, 24 in 11.00 pm, Moscow time in Baltic Sea the high-speed inflatable boat with 8 citizens of Estonia, Latvia and Russia aboard approached the
Arctic Sea cargo vessel sailing with 15-man Russian crew aboard and the cargo of wood from Finland to Algeria. Pleaded the boat's failure, the criminals got aboard the cargo ship and threatening the crew with weapons required full submission.
Later, the
Arctic Sea ship headed for African coast with enabled navigational equipment. On August, 17 it was freed without a shot by RNS
Ladny corvette 300 miles off Cabo Verde island republic. 8 hijackers and 11 crewmembers were delivered to Moscow. Later on, released sailors returned home to Arkhangelsk. Four crewmembers including captain, boatswain and board engineer remained on
Arctic Sea.
According to the RF Criminal Code, part 3, article 126 (kidnapping) and part 3, article 227 (piracy), a criminal case based on the fact of kidnapping of Russian citizens was initiated by Main Investigative Directorate of ICP. The investigation is in progress.
Source: RusNavy.com
