UK jailing of Indian sailor over Russia sanctions sets off ‘perfect storm’
Summary
British forces seized the oil tanker MT Smyrtos in June over alleged links to Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet, and its Indian captain, Ajay Pant, faces charges of violating UK sanctions. The case has raised concerns among seafarer-rights groups because, unlike in several other European cases involving suspected sanctions violations, the captain remains under arrest and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.Key Facts
- Ajay Pant left Paradip Port aboard the MT Smyrtos on April 25.
- The article says the tanker is under Western sanctions over alleged work for Russia’s shadow fleet.
- British forces captured the ship in mid-June, while it was outside UK territorial waters.
- Pant faces charges of violating UK sanctions by commandeering the ship.
- The article describes this as the first known case of a European country keeping a ship captain under arrest on these grounds.
- The article says other European countries have seized suspected sanctions-violating ships but have released their crews.
- Pant could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
- The article reports at least 24 seafarers killed in the Strait of Hormuz and at least 40 in the Black Sea amid attacks on vessels.
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