Finland seizes Russia-bound plane flying from Lithuania

A Lithuanian-registered private plane on its way to Russia was intercepted at Helsinki Airport due to potential sanction evasion, Report informs via LRT.

The Beechcraft plane flying from Lithuania to Russia’s Pskov via Latvia landed at the Helsinki airport to refuel when it was seized. Its indirect route from Lithuania to Russia, as well as the owners, raised suspicions among Finnish officials.

One of those piloting the plane was a Lithuanian national, Robertas Petkus. He was previously involved in a potential sanction evasion scheme uncovered by LRT.

Last year, the LRT Investigation Team revealed several attempts to use Lithuania as a transit destination to fly planes to Russia. Since last May, a stricter procedure for non-commercial flights has been in force, according to which pilots have to provide information on the operator, owner, customer and passengers of the aircraft.

Because of this, dozens of aircraft were denied access to Vilnius, Kaunas, and Palanga airports.