Algeria refused to accommodate Arctic Sea – Russian MFA

08.10.2009 Source: RIA Novosti

Algerian party did not permit Russian cargo vessel Arctic Sea standing offshore for a week to call at Algerian port, said Andrei Nesterenko, Russian MFA official representative at briefing on Thursday.

Cargo ship Arctic Sea sailing from Finland to Algeria with 15-men Russian crew aboard, after its mysterious disappearance late July was found in the Atlantic near Cabo Verde islands on Aug, 16. According to investigation, Arctic Sea was hijacked by 8 citizens of Estonia, Latvia and Russia. Crew release operation was carried out by Black Sea Fleet mariners. Investigators arrested the vessel. The issue of its future is currently under consideration.

"Consignee of wood transported by Arctic Sea is Algerian customer. In this connection we offered to tow vessel to Algerian destination port Bejaja for further ship transfer to the owner and cargo transfer to the consignee", he said.

Russian MFA official representative did not specify the reason of Algerian authorities's refusal to accommodate Arctic Sea.

Currently, Arctic Sea "anchors offshore east Gibraltar escorted by rescue vessel and RN corvette", added Nesterenko.

As it was said by Investigative Committee on Thursday, there were captain and three crewmembers aboard, investigators had left the vessel.

According to the Committee, criminal investigation based on hijacking of Arctic Sea on July 24, 2009 is continued. An action was brought under part 3 article 227 and point "a" part 3 article 126 of RF Criminal Code (piracy and kidnapping committed with force, weapon, by organized group).

Despite the fact that Arctic Sea vessel is arrested upon court order, active Russian criminal and procedural legislation concedes its transfer to the owner.