Sweden's Supreme Court has upheld the confiscation of the sanctioned Caffa cargo vessel, clearing the way for its transfer to Ukraine. The ship had been linked to the transportation of grain allegedly stolen from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory, marking a significant legal victory in Kyiv's efforts to hold those involved in the illicit trade accountable.
While additional details about the transfer have not yet been disclosed, the court's decision is final and confirms Sweden's earlier confiscation order.
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Swedish authorities intercepted the vessel on March 6 in the Baltic Sea on suspicion of sailing under a false flag while violating maritime law and safety regulations. The operation was carried out by the Swedish Coast Guard, which detained the bulk carrier as part of an investigation into its activities.
Investigators later confirmed that the Caffa vessel had been operating under fraudulent registration and appeared in Ukrainian records as a vessel involved in transporting grain taken from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory. Kyiv has repeatedly accused russia of exporting agricultural products from temporarily occupied regions through ports in temporarily occupied Crimea and disguising the cargo's origin.
In April, Swedish authorities ordered the confiscation of the Caffa vessel, paving the way for legal proceedings over its future ownership. The Supreme Court's latest ruling brings that process to a close, allowing the ship to be formally transferred to Ukraine.
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