Guinea-Bissau investigates Senegal's seizure of Russian fishing vessel

The Council of Ministers of Guinea-Bissau has established a commission to investigate the causes and circumstances of Senegal's detention of the Russian fishing vessel Oleg Naydenov in its territorial waters.

The committee includes the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defense, and Health and is headed by the Minister of Justice.

Fishing boat Oleg Naydenov. (Source: rt.com)

Earlier, the Council of Ministers heard a report from the Minister of Fisheries on the detention of the Oleg Naydenov vessel, according to which the vessel had a fishing license issued by the Ministry of Fisheries of Guinea-Bissau.

Following the ship's seizure, Guinea-Bissau maritime observers on board were beaten by Senegalese soldiers. The Council of Ministers declared that Senegal's actions were a serious violation of international law and did not contribute to peacekeeping operations.

The Oleg Naydenov, with a crew of 62 Russians and 23 Guinea-Bissau citizens, was seized by Senegalese soldiers on January 3 46 nautical miles off the coast of Guinea-Bissau.

The seizure of the ship was carried out in a brutal manner without any explanation. The Oleg Naydenov was escorted by Senegalese authorities to the naval port of Dakar and to date no formal charges have been filed.

According to Senegalese officials, the Russian fishing vessel was operating illegally in Senegal's exclusive economic zone, although the ship's captain claimed to be in Guinea-Bissau's territorial waters.

Senegal is demanding that the ship owner (Murmansk Phenix company) pay a fine of 3 million USD, while Russia is preparing a lawsuit to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg./.

According to VNA