World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Finland jails two Fitburg crew members over Baltic cable damage
A Finnish court sentenced two Fitburg crew members for aggravated sabotage over damage to undersea telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea.
The defendants were the ship’s Russian captain and an Azerbaijani crew member, who were given prison terms of three years and six months and two years and 10 months.
The Fitburg was travelling from Russia to Israel when it was seized by Finland on December 31.
The court said the ship dragged its anchor along the seabed for about 130 kilometres, damaging two telecommunications cables.
The defendants denied wrongdoing, and the court found that both must have known the anchor was dragging.
The court also ordered them to pay compensation, with the amount reported as about €1.9 million jointly plus about €85,000 from the captain.
The captain plans to appeal, while the other crew member has not decided whether to do so.
A Finnish court sentenced the Russian captain and an Azerbaijani crew member of the cargo ship Fitburg for aggravated sabotage over damage to two undersea telecommunications cables.
The Helsinki District Court gave the captain three years and six months in prison and the crew member two years and 10 months.
The court said the ship dragged its anchor along the seabed for about 130 kilometres, damaging the cables in the Gulf of Finland.
Finland seized the Fitburg on December 31 while it was sailing from Russia to Israel.
Both men denied wrongdoing and challenged Finland’s jurisdiction; the captain plans to appeal, while the crew member has not decided whether to do so.
- Who
- The Russian captain and an Azerbaijani crew member of the Fitburg.
- What
- They were convicted of aggravated sabotage over damage to two undersea telecommunications cables. The captain was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and the crew member to two years and 10 months.
- When
- The court ruled on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The cable damage occurred late the previous year.
- Where
- The Gulf of Finland, on cables running between Finland and Estonia.
- Why
- The court found that the men acted intentionally when the ship dragged its anchor along the seabed and damaged the cables.
Defendants
Finnish court
Responsibility
Defendants
Both men denied wrongdoing and challenged Finland’s jurisdiction in the case.
Finnish court
The court found both men guilty of aggravated sabotage and said they acted intentionally.
Appeal
Defendants
The captain plans to appeal; the crew member has not yet decided whether to do so.
Finnish court
The court imposed prison sentences on both men.
Finland seized the Fitburg in the Gulf of Finland while it was sailing from Russia to Israel.
The Helsinki District Court convicted the captain and crew member of aggravated sabotage and sentenced them to prison.
- Vessel
- Fitburg
- Damage
- Two undersea telecommunications cables
- Captain’s sentence
- 3 years and 6 months in prison
- Crew member’s sentence
- 2 years and 10 months in prison
- Joint damages
- Around €1.9 million ($2.1 million)
- Additional captain payment
- About €85,000
5 sources
Finland Sends 2 Men to Prison for Damaging Undersea Cable in Baltic Sea
Finland Jails Russian Captain and Azerbaijani Crew Member Over Baltic Sea Cable Damage
Finland jails Russian cargo ship captain over Baltic Sea cable sabotage
Finland court convicts 2 crew members of damaging Baltic cables
Finland court convicts Russian captain, Azerbaijani crew member over Baltic Sea cable damage
What people are saying
the two acted intentionally when the ship dragged an anchor chain and anchor shank along the seabed for around 130 km (81 miles)