Sweden confiscates vessel suspected of transporting Ukrainian grain from Crimea
In Sweden, authorities have confiscated the bulk carrier Caffa at the request of another state. The vessel is believed to be linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” and, according to the investigation, may have been used to transport Ukrainian grain taken from occupied territories, LIGA.net cites the statement on the official website of the Swedish Prosecution Authority.
The bulk carrier was detained on March 6 in the Baltic Sea near Trelleborg. Investigators believe that the ship’s owner and crew may have been involved in the illegal export of grain from occupied Crimea. The crew consisted mainly of Russian citizens, and the vessel’s technical condition was assessed as unsatisfactory.
The captain, a Russian national, was detained for using a false flag but was later released.
The vessel’s fate will be determined by a court. In particular, the possibility of transferring the bulk carrier to another state as part of international legal assistance is being considered.
“Based on the request, I decided to seize the vessel so that the court can consider the possibility of transferring it to another state,” said public prosecutor Håkan Larsson.
According to Swedish media, the request may have been submitted by Ukraine. If the court upholds the decision, the vessel could be handed over to Kyiv.
