The lawyer representing the shipping company of the Eagle S vessel, Herman Ljungberg, has called for the immediate termination of an ongoing investigation by Finland's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into a cable damage incident.
"I demand the investigation be immediately concluded, and the suspects released," Ljungberg stated in an email to Yle.
The NBI suspects eight crew members of the Eagle S of aggravated sabotage and aggravated interference with telecommunications. The crew members have been placed under travel restrictions, and the ship remains seized off the coast of Porvoo.
"It's unreasonable to hold the entire crew (and the ship) hostage if someone has made a mistake," Ljungberg argued, adding, "I don't even know if anyone has made a mistake."
Authorities suspect that the Eagle S damaged the Estlink 2 electricity transmission cable between Finland and Estonia, along with four telecommunications cables, on Christmas Day.
Dispute over jurisdiction
The defence contends that Finnish authorities lack jurisdiction over the ship and its crew, citing provisions from Finland's Criminal Code, the Act on the Finnish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
However, legal experts argue otherwise.
"Under criminal law, Finland's Criminal Code applies to crimes committed in Finland or to acts whose consequences occur here," said Associate Professor Tatu Hyttinen from the University of Turku.
Hyttinen emphasised that police are authorised to use legal coercive measures, such as travel bans, when investigating crimes within Finland's jurisdiction.
Investigation progresses
The NBI declined to comment on Ljungberg's demand but confirmed that the investigation into the damaged cables is ongoing.
On Friday, the NBI announced that underwater surveys of the seabed had identified areas potentially linked to the ship's anchor, which will now be examined more closely.
The shipping company's request to lift the seizure of the Eagle S was rejected by the Helsinki District Court on Friday, with the court ruling to keep the ship impounded as investigations continue.