Finnish Authorities Release Thor LibertyWithout Missiles

Last week, Finnish police launched a probe and detention of the British-registered Thor Liberty when 69 Patriot missiles and 150-tons of explosive materials were found onboard at the port of Kotka.  The Thor Liberty has now been released by authorities and permitted to continue travelling, except without much of the dangerous cargo, and without its captain.

Although the Patriot missies were an official shipment from Germany to S. Korea, and the explosives an official shipment for China, Finnish police contended that the missiles still lacked proper documentation for transit, as well as the explosives being improperly stored on the Liberty, leading for the detention of the ship’s crew and the ship herself since last Wednesday. 

PHOTO: M/S Thor Liberty

Finnish military has destroyed some of the explosive cargo, and other pieces are being refitted for travel in a safer manner, according to Markku Koskinen, the director of traffic operations at the port of Kotka.  Koskinen told AP that he does not know exactly which pieces were disposed of, and if the ship will even continue on its journey without its crew.

Thor Liberty’s Ukrainian captain and first mate are currently being held in Finnish custody on suspicion of violating weapon export laws, and it is not clear when they will be cleared to leave Finland.

 

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