Finland appeals court revives case against Eagle S Officers over cable breaks

A Finnish appeals court has reversed a previous decision and ruled that Finland has jurisdiction to prosecute the three senior officers of the Russian-linked oil tanker Eagle S for damaging subsea cables in the Baltic Sea. The court determined that the subsequent actions of the crew, including falsely claiming the anchors were raised and continuing to drag the ship, constituted a deliberate act beyond a ‘maritime accident’ and therefore warranted prosecution. The case is linked to concerns about Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ and potential attempts to sabotage European infrastructure. The ruling has significant implications for the upcoming trial of the Fitburg, another cargo ship involved in similar cable damage incidents, and involves substantial civil damages claims totaling over €122 million.