The two Norwegian inspectors have already left the Elektron

A Russian rescue ship delivered the two inspectors to a Norwegian vessel anchored in the Barents Sea.

The incident started when the trawler, the Elektron, fled while the two men were inspecting it for suspected illegal fishing on Saturday.

It was chased by Norwegian coastguards until it reached Russian waters.

Norwegian authorities claim the Elektron had been using illegal fishing equipment which violated quota rules on fishing catches.

Both Russian and Norwegian authorities say they aim to investigate the captain and crew of the trawler, which was led back to its home port of Murmansk.

Lieutenant Colonel John Lien, of the Norwegian military's northern command, said the inspectors were handed over at approximately 0850 GMT on Thursday.

"I can imagine that they are very happy to be back on board their own ship with their own colleagues," he said.

Old dispute

The trawler was stopped on Saturday in the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic, in waters claimed by Norway.

The boat was intercepted and told to go to Norway, but it unexpectedly changed its course towards Russia.

Although both sides have sought to play down the incident, the BBC's Lars Bevanger, in Oslo, says it has rekindled an ongoing dispute between the two countries over fishing rights in the Barents Sea.

Norway claims sovereignty over the waters where the Elektron was apprehended but Russia and other fishing nations disagree. They argue Norway has no right to detain foreign vessels in that area even if they are breaking fishing regulations.