sea piracy — A 47-year-old Israeli citizen of Russian origin, Alexei Kartzgor, has been arrested in Larnaca under an international warrant issued by Russia via Interpol.
- sea piracy — A 47-year-old Israeli citizen of Russian origin, Alexei Kartzgor, has been arrested in Larnaca under an international warrant issued by Russia via Interpol.
The arrest took place on Saturday at Larnaca port, where Kartzgor was taken into custody as he arrived by ship. A police spokesperson confirmed the details to the Cyprus News Agency, corroborating a report by Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
Authorities stated that the warrant pertains to an older case involving the hijacking of the cargo ship, Arctic Sea, in the Baltic Sea. The incident has been a point of contention since it occurred, capturing international attention.
Reports indicate that Kartzgor was not aware of the international arrest warrant against him for his alleged involvement in planning and executing the notorious hijacking. This detail was highlighted by Yedioth Ahronoth, which also noted that the suspect had faced legal troubles in the past related to this case.
In 2009, Kartzgor was arrested in connection with the Arctic Sea incident but was later released on bail. Following his release, he fled, leading to the current warrant for his arrest. His upcoming court appearance at Larnaca District Court is scheduled for Monday, where the legal proceedings for his extradition to Russia will commence.
The Arctic Sea was a cargo ship that made headlines after it was hijacked in 2009 while en route from Finland to Algeria. The vessel’s disappearance prompted an extensive search and efforts from multiple countries, ultimately culminating in its recovery off the coast of West Africa.
