Russia has declared former Estonian intelligence service coordinator Eerik-Niiles Kross wanted internationally for a claimed role in masterminding an alleged hijacking of a ship in 2009.
The Arkhangelsk oblast government's investigative committee announced that Kross is accused in a criminal case related to the hijacking of the Maltese-flagged, Russian-crewed Arctic Sea merchant ship in 2009.
Kross is charged with organization of piracy. The decision came after Kross did not appear for a hearing in Arkhangelsk on December 12.
Yuri Shperling, the head of the investigations, said at a press conference on January 13 that Kross was implicated by testimony by the ringleader of the seizure of the Arctic Sea, which disappeared near Sweden in June 2009 and turned up near Cabo Verde a month later.
The Estonian Public Prosecutor's Office responded to Russia's request for legal assistance in December and stated that it had forwarded the summons to Kross, but that Kross had replied that it was not possible for him to appear for questioning in Russia.
Despite considerable international speculation over whether a hijacking ever took place, the Russian authorities' decision stands to potentially complicate any international travel plans for Kross.
Russia is a party to extradition agreements with the EU. Kross would face possible detention outside Europe as well if Russia adds him to Interpol's list of internationally wanted persons.
Yesterday, before the information about issuing an international detention warrant became available, Minister of Justice Kristen Michal said the options could include Russia handing over the investigation to Estonia, or Russian investigators traveling to Estonia to question Kross.
"Estonia does not extradite its citizens to Russia which Russia must be well aware of," Michal told uudised.err.ee today. "One of the basic points of the treaty on judicial assistance between Estonia and Russia is that since citizens are not transferred, investigations are handed over," he said.
However, Shperling said at a press conference today that his committee has received no request from the Estonian side to hand over the investigation.
Kristopher Rikken
Comments