One of the alleged hijackers of the Arctic Sea cargo vessel is seeking protection through Europe's human rights court for inhumane treatment after detainment in August 2009, the suspect's lawyer said on Saturday.

The Finnish-owned, Maltese-flagged vessel with a 15-member Russian crew disappeared in the Atlantic on July 24 while carrying a $2-million shipment of timber from Finland to Algeria. It was eventually intercepted by the Russian Navy off West Africa on August 16. Eight alleged hijackers from Estonia, Latvia and Russia were arrested.

"We filed this appeal about three months ago due to violations of law during his detainment," Egon Rusanov, a lawyer for Dmitry Savins, said.

The Basmanny Court in Moscow on August 21, 2009, sanctioned the arrest of the eight suspects and on February 17 extended their custody until May 18.

The ship's disappearance, which triggered a major international search effort, raised suspicions that it was carrying a "secret cargo" of drugs or weapons. Russian authorities have denied the rumors, saying the vessel was hijacked by criminals who demanded a ransom.

The freighter was handed over to Maltese authorities in late October.

MOSCOW, February 27 (RIA Novosti)