Source link : https://london-news.net/captain-claims-anchor-incident-was-accidental-amid-baltic-cable-sabotage-allegations/
The captain of a vessel linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet has denied any intentional wrongdoing related to dragging an anchor that damaged undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, which is being investigated as an act of sabotage.
Captain Davit Vadacthkoria, a Georgian citizen, along with two senior officers of the Cook Islands-registered oil tanker Eagle S, are accused of allowing the ship’s anchor to scrape along the seabed for nearly 90 kilometers (56 miles), causing harm to five undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland on December 25, 2024.
They provided their testimonies earlier this week in the Helsinki District Court, facing charges of “aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications.”
Prosecutors allege that the crew willfully disregarded their responsibilities, while the defense argues that the damage was unintentional.
In court on Friday, Vadacthkoria stated that the crew had not seen any signs that the anchor had become dislodged.
“There was no reason to suspect that it was not secure,” he commented.
He mentioned that the security checks conducted before departure from the Russian port of Ust-Luga on December 25 revealed nothing “critical.”
He expressed his deep regret, saying, “As the captain, I want you to understand that I am taking responsibility for my actions. I have come here to tell the truth.”
Numerous undersea cables in the Baltic Sea were damaged last year, with many experts suggesting that this…
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Publish date : 2025-09-10 07:59:00
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