Eight Balts detained by Russia in connection with the Arctic Sea

TALLINN- The Baltic Foreign Ministries have received confirmation and official notification regarding Latvian and Estonian nationals detained in case of ArcticSeafreighter hijacking.

On 21 August, the Embassy of Latvia in Moscow has been notified by the
Russian Federation Prosecutor General's Office Investigations Committee that
among those taken into custody in the case of The Arctic Sea freighter there
is one citizen and one non-citizen of Latvia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has forwarded the provided information to
the law enforcement institutions of Latvia for taking measures within the
limits of their authority.

The Foreign Ministry, in compliance with the inviolability of private life,
and in order not to interfere with the inquiry process, refrains from
disclosing more detailed information regarding the inquiry in the case of
The Arctic Sea freighter and the names of the individuals concerned.

On the evening of August 21, the investigating committee with the Russian prosecutor's office forwarded to the Estonian embassy in Moscowofficial information containing the names of the individuals detained in connection with the ArcticSea case. According to the Estonian Security Police and the chief prosecutor's office the six residents of Estonia held byRussiain connection with the case include one Estonian citizen, two Russian citizens and three persons of undefined citizenship.

Foreign Minister Paet said: "It's regrettable that it took the Russian authorities so long to inform Estonia, even though the Russian minister of defense supplied information to the media already at the beginning of this week. In accordance with good practice one would inform the countries concerned about the detention of offenders before informing the public."

Under consular law the Estonian state must provide consular assistance to Estonian citizens and people of undefined citizenship living in Estonia under a residence permit. The Estonian embassy in Moscowis looking whether all rights have been ensured for the detainees and will provide consular assistance if needed.