Captain of Russian oil tanker arrested in France for sanctions evasion
A Russian national commander was detained on French soil after his oil tanker was intercepted in the Atlantic. The vessel allegedly used a false Cameroonian flag to escape European Union restrictions.
Captain of Russian oil tanker arrested in France for sanctions evasion
French forces captured an oil tanker suspected of being part of Moscow's clandestine fleet in the middle of the Atlantic on Sunday. The vessel's commander, a Russian national, was placed in provisional detention, the public prosecutor of Brest announced on Wednesday.
The vessel in question, the Fagor, is registered in Russia. However, French authorities believe it was sailing under a fraudulent Cameroonian flag in order to conceal its true origins and circumvent the restrictive measures decreed by Brussels against the Kremlin. The ship carried 23 crew members and had departed from the port of Murmansk, bound for Limbe.
The arrested man faces a prison sentence of up to twelve months, as well as a fine of 150,000 euros. The charges brought against him are the use of a falsified flag and an attempt to evade inspection by French authorities, according to the Agerpres agency, citing information from the EFE agency.
This seizure is not an isolated case. Since January, the French navy has already captured three other Russian tankers operating as part of this so-called "shadow fleet", which comprises approximately 600 vessels and is used to sell Russian oil despite the Western embargo. Each of these operations benefited from British logistical support.
Emmanuel Macron himself confirmed the interception of the Fagor on Monday, asserting that the action had been carried out in full compliance with maritime law. The French head of state described it as "unacceptable" that vessels should seek to evade "international sanctions", breach maritime standards and financially support the war launched by Russia against Ukraine.
For its part, the Moscow government has described this action as "piracy" committed on the high seas.
Article based on information from Digi24.
Source: Digi24