HELSINKI, Jan 3 (Reuters) - In a critical legal decision, a Finnish court has upheld the seizure of the Eagle S oil tanker, suspected of damaging undersea telecommunication cables and a power line in the Baltic Sea.

The court rejected a request from the vessel's owner, Caravella LLC FZ, based in the United Arab Emirates, for the release of both the tanker and its crew. Judge Tatu Koistinen of the Helsinki District Court stated, “This district court has rejected the claim of the defendant, which means that this seizure remains in force.” The Eagle S was seized on December 26 while it was found dragging its anchor across the seabed, causing damage to the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line.

The situation has heightened tensions in the region, especially following a series of outages affecting power and communication systems since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Baltic nations remain on high alert, prompting a NATO enhancement of their military presence in these crucial zones. The Finnish customs service suspects that the Eagle S is part of a shadow fleet attempting to evade sanctions against Russian oil.

Authorities confirmed the tanker, registered in the Cook Islands, is now anchored near the Finnish port of Porvoo as investigations continue. The crew, composed of Georgian and Indian nationals, is being questioned, with eight members identified as suspects by Finnish authorities. The Swedish military has also pledged assistance in the investigation, emphasizing regional cooperation.

Legal representatives for the tanker’s owner have indicated intentions to file a new motion for release, while the cargo of 35,000 tonnes of unleaded petrol has also been seized amid the ongoing inquiry into potential sanctions violations. The situation continues to unfold as Finland navigates complex geopolitical waters, reinforcing its commitment to maritime security.

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