Finland Jails Captain and Boatswain for “Intentional” Anchor Dragging

The Helsinki District Court convicted the captain and boatswain of the cargo ship Fitburg, who were accused of damaging two undersea telecommunications cables and endangering additional assets in a 2025 anchor-dragging incident. Both men were found guilty of “aggravated vandalism” for knowingly letting the cargo ship sail for hours dragging its anchor in the Gulf of Finland, and they were sentenced to jail and ordered to pay restitution.

It is a landmark case as it was the first conviction in what has been alleged to be part of a Russian campaign of hybrid warfare, although the case was limited to the anchor-dragging incident and not tried on larger geopolitical issues. A previous case in Finland was dismissed over issues of jurisdiction but might face a retrial, while a third case involving a Chinese master was pursued by the Chinese authorities.

The District Court dismissed the defense’s claims over jurisdiction, which asserted that the damage happened in international waters. The Finnish court had earlier ruled that while the damage was outside Finland, the impact of the actions was in Finland and caused serious danger to important functions of society. It said it was not a “maritime matter,” which would have required the prosecution in the officers’ home countries, because the consequences were in Finland and aimed at society.

Hearings for the case took place in Helsinki between September 8 and October 8 in front of a three-judge panel. They reached a unanimous decision, however, which can be appealed.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →