|
30.12.2024 The joint operation carried out by the authorities in the Gulf of Finland remains active. The operation began after multiple cables were ruptured in the Baltic Sea on Christmas Day, 25 December. The operation launched by the authorities on Christmas Day, 25 December in the Baltic Sea has continued today with various investigative actions. The operation will continue for as long as it is necessary for the purposes of the criminal investigation. The operation relating to the events in the Gulf of Finland will go on for several more days, explains Superintendent Heikki Porola of the Helsinki Police Department. The Helsinki Police Department is leading the operation, and the Border Guard Service is contributing to the carrying out of the operation. The National Bureau of Investigation is responsible for criminal investigation into the ruptured sea cables. The suspected offences are aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference of communications, of which the latter was filed on Saturday, 28 December. Ruptures caused to telecommunications cables are suspected meet the essential elements of the offence of aggravated interference of communications. It is possible that the offences will become more specific or even change as the criminal investigation progresses. 
The underwater portion of the hull of the tanker Eagle has been depicted in the subsea investigation. On the left side of the vessel, near the bow, there are several fresh paint scrapes and impact marks made by the anchor chain. Photo: Border Guard
The authorities have taken care of the maintenance of both the vessel and the crew during the investigation, says Detective Chief Inspector Elina Katajamaki of the National Bureau of Investigation. In addition, the police have seized devices related to the vessel's passage, and the data contained in them is being analysed. Due to difficult weather conditions, for example, the subsea investigation has been suspended today, continues Katajamaki. The criminal investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation is in its initial stage and it may take several weeks or months to complete. National Bureau of Investigation continues investigation into cable rupture 29.12.2024 The investigation into the events in the Gulf of Finland is still at an early stage. The police, together with other authorities, continue the investigation into the events. The Eagle S tanker was escorted yesterday, on Saturday, 28 December, with the assistance of the Border Guard, to the inner anchorage Svartback in the vicinity of the gulf of Skoldvik. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has continued investigation on board the vessel. The on-board operations on the Eagle S tanker have continued. However, the poor weather conditions at the anchorage today have hindered the operations. Technical investigation is carried out on board, and currently the focus is on the questioning of the crew. The bad weather has also been challenging for the patrol vessel Turva and the underwater operations carried out by the NBI investigators. The underwater operations had to be discontinued today. • With the underwater operations, we have been able to identify the dragging track at the seabed from the beginning to the end. The track is dozens of kilometres in length. For the time being, the possible location where the anchor came off has not been established, says the Tactical Leader, Detective Chief Inspector Sami Paila from the NBI. With the help of the investigative measures on board the Eagle S tanker and the underwater on-site investigation the police want to be able to form an accurate picture of the incidents in the Gulf of Finland. The operation is led by Helsinki Police Department and supported by the Border Guard. The NBI is responsible for leading the criminal investigation. The authorities have worked in close cooperation which will continue. 
Underwater investigation is assisted by an underwater ROV. Image by Police of Finland. Eagle S tanker successfully transferred to Porvoo 28.12.2024 The police, in cooperation with the other authorities, have successfully transferred the Eagle S tanker to the Svartbeck inner anchorage near Porvoo. The transfer of the tanker was completed as planned. The transfer was made, because the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have seized the vessel. The new location is to secure investigative measures taken in the criminal investigation. 
Image by Police of Finland The police transfer tanker Eagle S to Kilpilahti on Saturday 28.12.2024 The police begin an operation to transfer the Eagle S tanker from the Gulf of Finland to Svartbeck, an inner anchorage near the Port of Kilpilahti. The Helsinki Police Department leads the operation, with the Border Guard supporting the police in ensuring the operation is carried out safely. The transfer operation begins on Saturday, 28 December, at approximately 10:50. The Eagle S tanker will be guided by two pilots and escort tugboats Svartbeck, an inner anchorage near the Port of Kilpilahti. The Border Guard will secure the operation with a patrol vessel and several patrol boat units. The reason for the transfer is that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has seized Eagle S. From the point of view of the police, the new location offers a better option for carrying out investigative measures. On-board operations by the authorities will be suspended for the time of the transfer and resumed once the vessel is at anchor. Under the Police Act, the police have set up a one-nautical-mile exclusion zone around the tanker to ensure operational safety of the authorities. A no-fly zone is currently in effect around Skoldvik Bay. Inquiries regarding the transfer may be directed to the Helsinki Police Department and the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District. The NBI will provide updates on the progress of the criminal investigation as significant new information becomes available. 
Image by Police of Finland Gulf of Finland cable rupture: Investigation of the seabed underway 27.12.2024 The police have continued the investigation into the events in the Gulf of Finland in cooperation with other authorities. A tactical operation by the authorities began after multiple cables were ruptured in the Baltic Sea on Christmas Day, 25 December. The Helsinki Police Department is leading the multi-agency operation that has been ongoing around the clock for two days. The National Bureau of Investigation is responsible for the criminal investigation into the ruptured sea cables, with the suspected offense being aggravated criminal mischief. The criminal investigation and other investigative measures in the maritime area are still ongoing. Police and Border Guard tactical units secure criminal investigation on board The purpose of the criminal investigation is to look into the involvement of the cargo ship Eagle S in the cable rupture in the Gulf of Finland on 25 December. A Finnish Defence Forces Rauma-class missile boat and the Border Guard patrol vessel Uisko operate in the area. The criminal investigation on the vessel is secured by the police rapid response unit Karhu and the Border Guard tactical team. The Finnish Defence Forces and Border Guard helicopters have transported staff members of the authorities to and from the vessel. • Investigative measures have been taken on the vessel, including collecting material. Analysis of that material is already on the way. Interviewing members of the crew has also been in the focus of the investigation. Although we needed to move fast at the start of the criminal investigation, it is ultimately a question of a challenging and time-consuming process, says Tactical Leader, Detective Chief Inspector Sami Paila. Customs detained the fuel cargo on board The Border Guard is supporting the police in the investigation of the seabed. That is why the patrol vessel Turva is heading to the site of the Estlink 2 cable rupture today, 27 December, to conduct underwater investigation. Investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation are participating in the crime scene investigation aboard the patrol vessel Turva. • The Border Guard is supporting the police with equipment and personnel suitable for maritime operations. Current circumstances allow for full-scale operations in the Gulf of Finland, says Deputy Commander of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard Mikko Hirvi. In addition to the criminal investigation conducted by the police, Customs is making preliminary inquiries on-site in regard to a suspected aggravated regulation offence and is looking into details concerning the cargo. • Customs has detained the vessel's cargo of fuel and is continuing the preliminary inquiries related to a possible aggravated regulation offence, explains Director of Enforcement Hannu Sinkkonen. Edited 27.12. at 2:45 pm. Mr. Sinkkonen's name has been added to the end of the press release. 
Image by Police of Finland Police investigating incidents in the Gulf of Finland in cooperation with other authorities At this stage, the suspected offence is investigated as aggravated criminal mischief. 26.12.2024 The police, in cooperation with other authorities, are investigating the rupture of the Estlink 2 power transmission cable within Finland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Gulf of Finland on Wednesday, 25 December, 2024. The police are also looking into other possible damages in the maritime area. Due to actions taken by the authorities, Eagle S, a tanker registered in the Cook Islands, entered Finland's territorial waters. The vessel's involvement in causing the rupture is under investigation. The Helsinki Police Department and the Border Guard have conducted a tactical operation on the vessel. The authorities have taken investigative measures on the vessel, with access there provided by the Finnish Border Guard and the Defence Forces helicopters. At this stage, the case is being investigated as aggravated criminal mischief. In this respect, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is responsible for leading the criminal investigation. Customs is making preliminary inquiries on-site in regard to an aggravated regulation violation and is looking into details concerning the cargo. For the purposes of the criminal investigation, the police are working closely and exchanging information with Estonian authorities. The police are investigating the incidents, and more information on the case will be provided as soon as possible. 
Image by Police of Finland. Police of Finland - press release 
|