MOSCOW, August 26 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian...

Vladimir Markin, spokesman for the top investigation committee of the Prosecutor General"s Office, said the ship would have to be held to enable investigators to inspect it.

"Investigators plan to determine what cargo the vessel was carrying as part of a probe [into its disappearance]," Markin said.

The Arctic Sea, which had 15 Russian crewmembers, is currently being towed to the Russian port of Novorossiisk on the Black Sea. Four of the crew remain on board, while the other 11 have been flown to Moscow for questioning. Eight alleged hijackers, found on board when the freighter was released, have been arrested and are facing piracy charges.

He added that the vessel needed to be impounded in order to conduct an official and detailed inspection of the ship.

Press speculation on the mystery surrounding the Arctic Sea"s disappearance has been rife with some media saying the Russian authorities are trying to cover up a smuggling or trafficking operation. Moscow-based

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