Japan Coast Guard arrested the citizens of Russia — the captain and crew of the vessel engaged in illegal fishing crab.
The ship was under the Cambodian flag and have been detained in the Japanese exclusive economic zone, near the northern island of Hokkaido.
In total, the Japanese patrol vessel was detained 15 people — all citizens of Russia, ITAR-TASS quoted the Russian Consulate General in Sapporo, which has received a notice on the incident from the Japanese side.
The detainees are in the port city of Monbetsu. Formal charges have yet been brought against the suspect — this Japanese police usually set aside 48 hours.
Last similar incident was reported at the end of 2011. Then the Japanese patrol was also detained Russian captain, whose vessel was engaged in illegal crab fishing in these waters. Japanese court then sentenced him to a fine of 2 million yen (about 20000 dollars).