Indian Captain of Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker Charged in UK Court
The Indian captain of a sanctioned Russian shadow fleet oil tanker intercepted by British armed forces while crossing the English Channel en route from Russia to India has been arrested in the UK and appeared in court charged with breaching sanctions.
Ajay Pant, 38, a resident of Nainital district in Kumaon area of Uttarakhand, appeared via video link at Southampton magistrates’ court from Bournemouth police station on June 16, charged with “directly or indirectly supplying or delivering prohibited Russian oil from Russia to a third country by ship, in contravention of Regulation 46Z9B of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.”
His solicitor, James Diamond, told the court, “It was not his choice as to where this vessel was going or the cargo this vessel was carrying. He was simply following orders from those in the corporation. He is just an employee doing his job who now finds himself before a British court.”
Original Article: Indian captain of sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tanker charged in UK court; family in U’khand appeals for safe return — Indiatimes