THE EARLY phase of the criminal investigation into the Estlink 2 cable rupture incident is nearing completion, Finnish authorities have confirmed.
Finalnd’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) says it has mostly completed the forensic investigation on Eagle S tanker, conducted the seizures required for the criminal investigation, and mostly finished the underwater investigation of damages related to the cable.
NBI tactical leader, detective superintendent Risto Lohi said the forensic investigation of the anchor lifted from the seabed on 6 January has been completed.
“Considering the features of the anchor and the place where the anchor was found, the police believe that the anchor, which was lifted from the end of the dragging trace photographed in the seabed, belongs to Eagle S,” Lohi said.
“On the basis of the forensic investigation, we suspect that the anchor came loose from the chain when the Finnish authorities asked the tanker’s crew to lift the hanging anchor.”
Meanwhile, members of Eagle S’ crew who are considered suspects in the investigation are being interviewed further, with the seized material; remaining subject to ongoing analysis.
Authorities said the suspected offences, assessed together with the National Prosecution Authority, are aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications.
The criminal investigation aims to establish whether the vessel’s crew should have noticed and reacted to the fact that the anchor was hanging outside the vessel for a passage of up to a hundred kilometres.
Police said another aim is to establish what the reason for the vessel’s unusual movements identified by the automatic identification system (AIS) was.
“During the criminal investigation, the National Bureau of Investigation has been able to form a relatively accurate picture of what happened in the Gulf of Finland on Christmas Day,” Lohi revealed.
“The investigation focuses, for example, on assessing intent, in other words, why and how the anchor ended up hanging from the tanker and what was done on the tanker at the time. The criminal investigation aims to establish these facts with the means available to the investigation.”
Police stated they estimate the criminal investigation will continue for several months, with the leadership of the investigation to assess the need for “coercive measures throughout the investigation”, as well as whether the measures taken are sufficient and comprehensive enough.
Cook Islands-flagged Eagle S remains under seizure, and the police have identified nine suspects who have been subjected to a travel ban.
Authorities confirmed that earlier this week, the crew members who have not been subjected to a travel ban were replaced.
