The trial for the captain and two senior officers of the tanker Adler S commenced in Helsinki on August 25, as reported by Finnish media. They face serious charges including sabotage and telecommunications interference, alongside lesser accusations of vandalism and public endangerment. This follows an incident on December 25, 2024, when the vessel damaged a crucial underwater cable connecting Finland and Estonia, reportedly dragging its anchor for over 55 miles in the Baltic Sea. Prosecutors allege the crew intentionally slowed down upon nearing the cables, and assert that further damage was averted only due to swift intervention by Finnish authorities.
The prosecution is seeking prison sentences ranging from two to ten years for Captain Davit Vadatchkoria, First Officer Robert Egizaryan, and Second Officer Santosh Kumar Chaurasia. They dispute the charges, with Captain Vadatchkoria describing the event as a "sea accident" devoid of alarms or significant disruptions during transit. Defense attorneys argue mechanical failures, such as rusted brakes, contributed to the mishap.
Furthermore, the case complicates issues of jurisdiction, as the incident occurred in international waters, raising questions about Finland’s energy security. Prosecutors also seek over $70 million in damages for repair costs stemming from the incident, highlighting significant deficiencies discovered during a port state inspection that delayed the ship’s departure for 53 days.
