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| Russia detains ship 'hijackers' | Russia detains ship 'hijackers' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Eight people have been arrested for hijacking the cargo ship Arctic Sea, Russia's defence minister says. | Eight people have been arrested for hijacking the cargo ship Arctic Sea, Russia's defence minister says. |
| Anatoly Serdyukov said the group of suspects included Russian, Estonian and Latvian nationals. | Anatoly Serdyukov said the group of suspects included Russian, Estonian and Latvian nationals. |
| The Arctic Sea went off the radar after passing through the English Channel in late July, but was found late on Sunday far south in the Atlantic. | The Arctic Sea went off the radar after passing through the English Channel in late July, but was found late on Sunday far south in the Atlantic. |
| Speculation swirled after the ship vanished, with suggestions of piracy, a mafia dispute or a commercial row. | Speculation swirled after the ship vanished, with suggestions of piracy, a mafia dispute or a commercial row. |
| The ship's owners had reported that the vessel was attacked 24 July in Swedish waters. | The ship's owners had reported that the vessel was attacked 24 July in Swedish waters. |
| Click here for a map charting reported sightings of the Arctic Sea | Click here for a map charting reported sightings of the Arctic Sea |
| Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Mr Serdyukov as saying the hijackers had approached the Arctic Sea in a dinghy, claiming they needed help to repair their vessel. | Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Mr Serdyukov as saying the hijackers had approached the Arctic Sea in a dinghy, claiming they needed help to repair their vessel. |
| But once on board the cargo ship, they threatened the crew with guns and forced them to sail south, the defence minister said. | But once on board the cargo ship, they threatened the crew with guns and forced them to sail south, the defence minister said. |
| The suspects include four Estonians, two Latvians and two Russians. | The suspects include four Estonians, two Latvians and two Russians. |
| Mr Serdyukov said an investigation was under way aboard the Russian warship Ladny, where the Arctic Sea's 15-strong crew members and the suspected pirates were being questioned. | |
| Carrying timber reportedly worth $1.8m (£1.1m), the 4,000-tonne Maltese-flagged vessel sailed from Finland and had been scheduled to dock in the Algerian port of Bejaia on 4 August. | Carrying timber reportedly worth $1.8m (£1.1m), the 4,000-tonne Maltese-flagged vessel sailed from Finland and had been scheduled to dock in the Algerian port of Bejaia on 4 August. |
| The crew reported having been boarded by up to 10 armed men as the ship sailed through the Baltic Sea. | The crew reported having been boarded by up to 10 armed men as the ship sailed through the Baltic Sea. |
| Before being found, the last known contact with the crew was when the Arctic Sea reported to British maritime authorities in Dover as it passed through the English Channel. | Before being found, the last known contact with the crew was when the Arctic Sea reported to British maritime authorities in Dover as it passed through the English Channel. |
| It was then sighted in the Bay of Biscay on 30 July. | It was then sighted in the Bay of Biscay on 30 July. |
| Last weekend, police in Finland said a ransom demand had been made, but emphasised that they could not confirm its authenticity. | |
| The Arctic Sea was eventually found on Sunday night 300 miles (480 km) off Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean. | The Arctic Sea was eventually found on Sunday night 300 miles (480 km) off Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean. |
| Click here to return | Click here to return |