Russian ship Arctic Sea said to hold no secret cargo

THE hijacked 4,700-ton Arctic Sea has revealed no secret cargo but instead appeared to be carrying only timber rather than a consignment of military defence systems for Iran despite a tip-off from Mossad, Israel's intelligence service who monitored its journey from Finland enroute to Algeria.

The vessel which was flying the flag of Malta when it was hijacked in Swedish waters on July 24 by crew of 15 Russians who took control the ship was intercepted by a Russian frigate off Cape Verde.

"The ship was searched with the help of modern appliances, inside and outside. There was nothing but timber and lumber. Nothing that could compromise Russian Federation was found," the Russian prosecutor of the general's investigative committee were cited to say in an Interfax news agency.

The disappearance of the vessel for a month, Moscow's detention of the pirate crew of Russians, Estonians and Latvians and the indecision of Malta, Russia and Spain of where the Russian-operated ship should dock for inspection increased suspicion of the cargo in the media.

It was initially meant to dock at Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiisk but then it anchored near the Canary Islands but was refused entry without explanation at the Spanish port of Las Palmas which was then denied.

A Spanish foreign ministry communique said, "Russian authorities have informed us that they do not need the Arctic Sea to stop in Spain, in Las Palmas."

The ship's log said a cargo of timber valued at EUR1.16 million (US$1.7 million) was all she was carrying, but according to the investigation committee website it was initially reported to hold "ammunition used by the suspected pirates to capture the ship and the speedboat from which they boarded it" which was camouflaged under a wood frame and canvas.

Documentation said to pertain to the Arctic Sea mission, and to add evidence to the suspects held in trial in Moscow, were loaded onto the Russian tanker ship Iman said the Russian news agency, RIA-Novosti.

Its spokesman added, "Everything the investigation considered necessary to seize as material evidence has been sent to Russia".

Israel's part in the process is unclear with its Prime Minister Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visiting Russia but not commenting on the trip's purpose.

 

(Source: Schednet)