MOSCOW, October 16 (RIA Novosti) - A Moscow...

The Basmanny Court arraigned eight men on piracy and kidnapping charges over the case on August 21. Earlier this week, the court extended the custody of six suspects for three months and 29 days, until February 18, pending further interrogations and expert examinations.

The court has also extended the investigation period until the same date.

The Finnish-owned, Maltese-flagged ship manned by a Russian crew and listed as carrying lumber from Russia to Algeria, was reportedly boarded by a group of eight men on July 24. Officials later said it had disappeared in the Atlantic. It was freed off Cape Verde on August 16 by a Russian warship.

The vessel has been impounded on a court order, and is currently anchored in the open sea to the east of Gibraltar.