site.btaRuling Out Sabotage, Sweden Releases Bulgarian Ship Vezhen, Sofia Considers Case Resolved

The Swedish authorities have released the Maltese-flagged bulk carrier Vezhen, owned by the Bulgarian shipping company Navibulgar, which had been detained on suspicion of causing damage to an underwater fiber-optic cable between Latvia and Sweden on January 26. The investigation clearly shows that this was not a case of sabotage, the Swedish Prosecution Authority said as quoted by Reuters.

It was determined that the cable disruption was caused by a combination of weather conditions, equipment deficiencies, and the crew's navigational skills, the statement further said.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Georgi Georgiev, said that the Vezhen case had been “resolved with a positive outcome”.

He added that the decision by the Swedish authorities put an end to “a harmful rumor accusing the Bulgarian crew of malicious intent”.

Speaking at a news conference, Alexander Kalchev, CEO of the Navigation Maritime Bulgare company that owns the Vezhen, said that the Vezhen will continue its voyage to Uruguay as planned while also stopping in Denmark for repairs and anchor replacement.

Kalchev stated that the position of the investigating authorities in Sweden confirms what has been his belief from the beginning - that the crew did not commit sabotage or any other malicious acts.

According to him, it is yet to be established what actually damaged the cable. He added that what matters is that the anchor dropped due to the stormy weather and high waves, as he said on January 28.