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🇩🇰 Denmark /Conflict & Security

Norway Seizes Russian Vessel in Svalbard

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources In the courts
  • Norwegian authorities have taken the Russian expedition cruise vessel Professor Molchanov into custody near Svalbard, according to Naftogaz and Norwegian police.
  • Naftogaz sought the seizure while pursuing a $4.22 billion arbitration award against Russia for assets confiscated after Russia annexed Crimea.
  • A Norwegian court ruled on Aug. 31 that the vessel could not leave its current position, while authorities manage its crew.

The Russian vessel Professor Molchanov has been seized in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago after Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz asked Norwegian authorities to act against it.

Norwegian police confirmed that the vessel is in official custody, according to Aftenposten. A Norwegian court ruled on Aug. 31 that the ship should be seized and barred it from leaving its current position. The authorities are also handling the crew on board.

The vessel operates commercial expedition cruises, including trips to Svalbard. Naftogaz has pursued legal action against Russia since 2016, seeking compensation for company property confiscated after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

An arbitration tribunal in The Hague ordered Russia in April 2023 to pay Naftogaz $4.22 billion, plus interest and legal costs. Russia has not paid the award. “Russia cannot evade its responsibility simply by refusing to comply with an international arbitration award,” Naftogaz acting chief executive Serhiy Fedorenko said on the company’s website.

Russia cannot evade its responsibility simply by refusing to comply with an international arbitration award.

— Serhiy FedorenkoNaftogaz’s acting chief executive defended the seizure as part of efforts to enforce the arbitration award against Russia.
About this summary

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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