MOSCOW, August 28 (RIA Novosti) - The eight...

Russia"s special investigations committee said Thursday that the eight men, who were arrested last week onboard the Maltese-flagged vessel by Russian naval personnel following a two-week international hunt, have been remanded in custody on piracy and kidnapping charges.

Lawyer Alexander Samodaikin representing the interests of Alexei Buleyev said that his client denied all charges insisting that he and his co-defendants were environmentalists, who requested assistance from the Maltese-flagged Arctic Sea after their vessel got into trouble.

Some media reports have dismissed the hijacking theory as a ploy to cover up a possible conspiracy, including arms smuggling or that the ship, which had 15 Russian crewmembers onboard, was carrying a "secret" cargo.

Russia"s chief investigator said on Tuesday allegations that the Arctic Sea may have been involved in illegal operations would be probed.

Press speculation over the mystery surrounding the Arctic Sea"s disappearance

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