Finnish Court Jails Captain and Crew Member of Ship Fitburg for Damaging Undersea Cables

The Helsinki District Court in Finland's capital on 5 November sentenced the captain of the vessel Fitburg, a Russian national, and a crew member who is an Azerbaijani national, to prison. Both were found guilty of sabotage that damaged two undersea communication cables in the Gulf of Finland, the news agency Reuters reported.

The captain received a sentence of three years and six months, while the crew member was given two years and ten months. The court found that both acted intentionally, lowering a chain and anchor to the seabed and dragging it for roughly 130 kilometres. The court also ordered them to pay compensation for damages of about 1.9 million euros.

How the arrest unfolded

Finnish authorities detained the Fitburg on 31 December last year in the Gulf of Finland, on suspicion of damaging the Helsinki–Tallinn communication cables. The ship was travelling from Russia to Israel, specifically from Saint Petersburg, and sailed under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Following the verdict, the vessel has been released.

After their detention, both convicted men remained in Finland. They deny guilt and have challenged Finland's jurisdiction in the case.

Wider context

Since 2022, the Baltic Sea has seen several incidents involving undersea pipelines and communication cables, and Finland has stepped up efforts to protect underwater infrastructure. In September this year, an exercise was held in the country that simulated the boarding and seizure of a ship.

Lawyers for the convicted said the captain will appeal the ruling, while the crew member has not yet decided on his next step.