In October 2005 the Norwegian Coast Guard service pursued the Elektron trawler across the Barents Sea for five days. The vessel refused to follow Norwegian orders to go to a port to be checked for alleged fishing violations October 15, and fled to Russian waters with two Norwegian inspectors onboard.
The trial began in a closed court on June 28, 2006. During the litigation the captain attempted to run for legislature in Murmansk on March 11, 2007, but failed to collect the necessary number of votes.
Yarantsev, who pleaded not guilty, said that under international law Russian sailors have the right not to permit inspectors to board their ships. He also cited the 1920 agreement signed by 48 countries, including Russia, stating that they have equal fishing rights near the Spitsbergen Archipelago.
"Since 1977, Norway has been seeking rights to this area contradicting all international rules," he said, adding that the incident with his trawler had been planned beforehand and was timed to coincide with a session of the Russian-Norwegian fisheries commission.
Yarantsev repeatedly confirmed that he would ask the Court in The Hague to recognize as unlawful the Norwegian officials' actions near the Spitsbergen Archipelago, which Russia considers open international waters. "I insist that I am not guilty and will ask a higher court for a conclusive acquittal," he said.
The court also deprived Yarantsev of the right to hold the position of captain of a fishing vessel for two years, which, he said, was "the worst verdict and an end to everything."
