Questions Surround German Ship Bound for Syria

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De Spiegel:

 

04/16/2012

 

The Mystery of the Atlantic Cruiser

Questions Surround German Ship Bound for Syria

 

By Veit Medick

 

 

Officials in Germany are still seeking information about a German-owned ship believed to be carrying a load of weapons and military equipment that had been destined for the despotic regime of Syrian leader Bashar Assad. Since the revelation on Friday, it appears that transponder used to broadcast the ship's whereabouts has been turned off repeatedly. On Monday, though, it appeared to be on again, with the 6,200 ton freighter ship apparently on a course towards Turkey.

The ship had been stopped near the coast of Syria on Friday afternoon, but then disappeared from sight for around 24 hours. Then, on Sunday night, the Atlantic Cruiser's transponder was turned off again.

After having attracted international attention, the captain has been maneuvering the ship through the eastern Mediterranean for days now. SPIEGEL has obtained information indicating that the ship is carrying heavy military equipment from Iran that had been intended to reach the forces of Bashar Assad, despite a European Union weapons embargo that has been placed against his repressive regime. German government officials expressed alarm over the development this weekend. It's no wonder, either: If the suspicion is confirmed, it would mean that a German ship is violating the weapons embargo. It might also lead the international community to question whether Germany is taking decisive enough steps to enforce sanctions against the Assad regime. Read More http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,827784,00.html

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