Finland busts tank parts shipment to Syria

Customs authorities confiscate Russian supplies suspected of violating EU ban on exporting weapons to war-ravaged country

HELSINKI (AP) — Finnish customs says it has intercepted a shipment of tank spare parts en route to Syria from Russia, suspecting it was in breach of a European Union ban on weapons exports to the war-torn country.

Customs Investigation Service chief Petri Lounatmaa says officers confiscated a container on a Finnish freighter on Jan. 8 because it did not have a transit license and found “9.6 tons of tank spare parts.”

Lounatmaa on Friday not give details because of an ongoing investigation but said that it appeared to “involve a commercial transport from Russia to Syria.” He said they were working with several international authorities but gave no details.

Three captains and a first mate of the ship were questioned but had been released. The ship also was given permission to sail.