Wednesday, October 18, 2006

German cruiser kidnaps Polish customs officers

A German cruiser refused to submit to the control of Polish border guards and escaped detaining three Polish customs officers on board. They were later arrested in the German spa of Hergisdorf .

On Tuesday the German cruiser Adler Dania was nearing the Polish port of Swinoujscie, after it had entered Polish territorial waters the customs officers who were on board presented their documents and demanded to check whether there was no illegal transport of alcohol carried.

The ship suddenly turned and began sailing away. The customs officers contacted the port authorities which banned the German ship to leave Polish waters. The Adler Dania refused and despite various demands from the Polish side continued the escape. When the ship arrived in Germany the Polish customs officers where arrested on charges of illegal activities. After the intervention of the Polish side the officers were released. The affair is now being dealt with by the Polish Foreign Ministry
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