The drama unfolded in October when the Norwegian Coast Guard service pursued the Elektron trawler across the Barents Sea for five days. The vessel refused to follow Norwegian orders to go to a port to be checked for alleged fishing violations October 15, and fled to Russian waters with two Norwegian inspectors onboard.
Yarantsev, the captain of the Elektron who is charged with violating fishing regulations and holding the two inspectors illegally, said before the trial, which resumed after a six-week interval, that he would run for the Murmansk regional parliament March 11, and hoped to oversee maritime law issues.
The captain also said he would file a suit with the International Court of Justice in The Hague against the Norwegian government and demand compensation for damage inflicted on him and his crew.
"On behalf of myself and my crew, I will demand compensation for interrupting our trip, violating our rights and threatening us with the use of weapons," Yarantsev said.
The trial began behind closed doors on June 28, 2006 but has been repeatedly interrupted because witnesses were either on holiday or at sea. The hearings resumed Tuesday, with prosecutors questioning Yarantsev. Witnesses are expected to testify Wednesday.
Yarantsev, who pleads his innocence, has said that under international law Russian sailors have the right not to admit inspectors aboard their ships. He also cited the 1920 agreement signed by 48 countries, including Russia, stating that they have equal fishing rights near the Spitsbergen Archipelago.
"Since 1977, Norway has been seeking rights to this area that contradict all international rules," he said, adding that the incident with his trawler had been planned beforehand and was timed to coincide with a session of the Russian-Norwegian fisheries commission.
Yarantsev told journalists that in similar circumstances he would do the same thing again. "I think it is better not to admit inspectors aboard," he said. "Had I not admitted the Norwegian inspectors, I would not now be on trial."
