Elisa’s data cable between Helsinki and Tallinn was damaged on Wednesday, according to the Finnish telecom firm.
According to a police statement, the Border Guard located a vessel suspected of causing the damage. Finnish authorities took control of the ship as part of a joint operation.
The suspected vessel was intercepted by the Border Guard patrol ship Turva and a helicopter in Finland’s exclusive economic zone, while the cable damage reported by Elisa is located in Estonia’s economic zone.
The police have consulted the National Prosecutor’s Office, which has issued a prosecution order.
Police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage and aggravated interference with telecommunications.
Last Christmas, an oil tanker called Eagle S dragged its anchor along the seabed, damaging several undersea cables between Finland and Estonia. The captain of the vessel claimed the incident was accidental.
Following a trial this past autumn, Helsinki District Court said it lacked jurisdiction in the case.
At 1:00pm on Wednesday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in a post on social site X that the country "is prepared for security challenges of various kinds, and we respond to them as necessary.
4:53 A disruption occurs in the telecommunications network due to a cable break.
7:36 The police command center receives a report of the disruption.
7:40 The Helsinki Police Department decides to establish a situation organization.
7:49 Helsinki Police Chief Jari Liukku contacts National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki.
7:50 The situation organization is being formed. Preparation of action plans has begun.
During the morning, the police are also in contact with other authorities. The Border Guard, Customs, Defence Forces, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, and the Prosecution Service discuss the division of tasks with the police.
10:25 Command responsibility transfers to the police. The police had already earlier determined that a crime is suspected in connection with the case. The police have grounds to act to prevent new crimes.
11:05 The police and Border Guard descend onto the deck of the vessel Fitburg using a helicopter. The vessel is suspected of causing the cable damage.
11:11 The vessel’s bridge is under the authorities’ control. After that, the authorities carry out arrests of crew members and other security measures. The vessel is moved to a safe location where the authorities’ actions can continue.
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