Russian Editor Flees after Arctic Sea Weapons Report

The editor of Sovfracht, Mikhail Voitenko, an online maritime journal, fled to Istanbul on Wednesday, saying he may not be able to return as his life would be in danger. Photo by a.abcnews.go.com

A journalist has fled Russia after suggesting the Arctic Sea cargo ship that was apparently hijacked in July may have been carrying illegal weapons.

Mikhail Voitenko said he had been told to leave Moscow or face arrest, the BBC reported.

The editor of Sovfracht, an online maritime journal, fled to Istanbul on Wednesday, saying he may not be able to return as his life would be in danger.

The sovfracht website states that he is on a buisness trip in Turkey but Voitenko confirmed otherwise.

Eight men, mainly from Estonia, have been charged with hijacking and piracy over the case.

The men are suspected of seizing the ship and its 15-man Russian crew after raiding it disguised as police.

The alleged hijackers were taken to Russia after the ship was spotted 480km off the west coast of Africa on 16 August.

 

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