This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/8243714.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Arctic Sea Iran arms link denied | Arctic Sea Iran arms link denied |
(10 minutes later) | |
Russia has denied media reports that a cargo ship which was apparently hijacked in July was carrying Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran. | Russia has denied media reports that a cargo ship which was apparently hijacked in July was carrying Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran. |
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the reports that the ship had illegal arms on board were "absolutely untrue". | Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the reports that the ship had illegal arms on board were "absolutely untrue". |
The Maltese-flagged Arctic Sea vessel with 15 Russian crew went missing for more than two weeks. It was found on 16 August off West Africa. | The Maltese-flagged Arctic Sea vessel with 15 Russian crew went missing for more than two weeks. It was found on 16 August off West Africa. |
Eight men were later charged with hijacking and piracy over the case. | Eight men were later charged with hijacking and piracy over the case. |
The men, mostly from Estonia, are suspected of seizing the ship and its crew after raiding it disguised as police. | The men, mostly from Estonia, are suspected of seizing the ship and its crew after raiding it disguised as police. |
'Serious people' | 'Serious people' |
Speaking in Moscow, Mr Lavrov dismissed media speculation about S-300 missiles on board the Arctic Sea as "groundless". | |
Russia's top diplomat also promised a "transparent" investigation in which Maltese officials would also be invited to take part. | |
The 4,000-tonne vessel vanished in July days after leaving Finland with an apparent cargo of timber worth $1.8m (£1.1m), destined for the Algerian port of Bejaia. | The 4,000-tonne vessel vanished in July days after leaving Finland with an apparent cargo of timber worth $1.8m (£1.1m), destined for the Algerian port of Bejaia. |
Last week, Britain's Sunday Times quotes sources in Russia and Israel claiming that the Arctic Sea was carrying arms to Iran and not timber. | Last week, Britain's Sunday Times quotes sources in Russia and Israel claiming that the Arctic Sea was carrying arms to Iran and not timber. |
It said that the sources claimed the ship had been loaded with S-300 missiles, Russia's most advanced anti-aircraft weapon, while undergoing repairs in the Russian port of Kaliningrad. | It said that the sources claimed the ship had been loaded with S-300 missiles, Russia's most advanced anti-aircraft weapon, while undergoing repairs in the Russian port of Kaliningrad. |
The arms were sold by former military officers linked to the underworld, the Sunday Times reported. | The arms were sold by former military officers linked to the underworld, the Sunday Times reported. |
Also last week, a Russian journalist fled his country after suggesting the ship that may have been carrying illegal weapons. | Also last week, a Russian journalist fled his country after suggesting the ship that may have been carrying illegal weapons. |
Mikhail Voitenko, the editor of the Sovfracht online maritime journal, said he had been told to leave Moscow or face arrest. | Mikhail Voitenko, the editor of the Sovfracht online maritime journal, said he had been told to leave Moscow or face arrest. |
Speaking to the BBC from Turkey, Mr Voitenko said he had received a threatening phone call from "serious people" whom he suggested may have been members of Russia's intelligence agency, the FSB. | Speaking to the BBC from Turkey, Mr Voitenko said he had received a threatening phone call from "serious people" whom he suggested may have been members of Russia's intelligence agency, the FSB. |
The FSB has made no public comments on the allegations. | The FSB has made no public comments on the allegations. |
There has also been speculation the ship may have been intercepted by Mossad - Israel's foreign intelligence service - in order to prevent a shipment of illegal arms to the Middle East. | There has also been speculation the ship may have been intercepted by Mossad - Israel's foreign intelligence service - in order to prevent a shipment of illegal arms to the Middle East. |