French counter-intelligence agents are investigating a suspected plot by Moscow-backed operatives to hijack a cruise ship carrying British tourists, potentially to launch a violent attack or take hostages for ransom.
Ship Stranded Amid Fears of Remote Takeover
The Italian-owned ferry GNV Fantastic was held under guard in the French port of Sète for more than ten hours on Saturday, December 13. The dramatic intervention came after intelligence officers feared the vessel's computer systems had been compromised, enabling remote control by hackers.
Authorities are examining whether the attempted hijacking was intended to facilitate a violent assault or a hostage situation with a financial demand. The incident caused major disruption for hundreds of passengers, many of whom were British.
Arrests and Sophisticated Tech Seized
The investigation escalated on December 12 when officers from France's General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) arrested two men. They were allegedly in possession of a sophisticated technological device, described as resembling a USB stick or hard drive, used to infiltrate the ferry's computer network.
One suspect, a Bulgarian national, was later released without charge. The other, a Latvian national in his twenties recently hired by GNV as a trainee sailor, was transferred to Paris. He was formally charged on Sunday, December 14.
Investigators allege that once the ship's system was breached, the suspect installed malicious software that would have allowed him to take remote command of the vessel.
Charges and Links to Foreign Power
The detained suspect faces serious charges, including participation in an organised crime plot involving an automated data processing system to serve a foreign power, criminal conspiracy, and unlawful possession of hacking equipment.
While no material link has yet been proven, investigators are strongly considering the involvement of Russian intelligence services. This aligns with established patterns where the Kremlin has allegedly used proxies from Eastern European nations to conduct sabotage or espionage on French soil.
This case follows recent arrests in France of suspects from Dagestan connected to a plot to assassinate Russian dissident Vladimir Ossetchkine, an opponent of President Vladimir Putin.
Passenger Chaos and Ongoing Investigation
The GNV Fantastic, scheduled to depart for Béjaïa, Algeria at 6:00 am on December 13, remained immobilised in port. Its 650 passengers were left confused and angry, informed only at 1:00 am that the sailing was cancelled.
Newspaper Le Midi Libre reported that hundreds had travelled from across France and other European nations, including England, some for up to 14 hours, only to be stranded. Passengers described being "herded like cattle" and labelled the delay a "scandal," unaware it was due to a critical security threat.
The Paris prosecutor's office sealed the vessel for forensic checks to ensure passenger safety. The seized technological device has been sent for detailed analysis. Investigations continue under an investigating judge, with close cooperation from Italian authorities.
Thibault Bailly, lawyer for the charged suspect, told Le Parisien that the investigation would "shed light on several still unclear aspects" and show the case "is not as alarming as it initially appeared."
The ship was eventually cleared to sail to Algeria later on Saturday evening.
