Indian Captain of Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker Arrested in UK Over Sanctions Breach
An Indian ship captain from Uttarakhand has been arrested in the United Kingdom after authorities intercepted a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the English Channel. Ajay Pant, 38, the master of the vessel MV Smyrtos, appeared before a UK court on charges of allegedly breaching sanctions related to the transportation of Russian oil.
Pant, a resident of Nainital, appeared via video link before Southampton Magistrates’ Court on June 16. He has been charged with “directly or indirectly supplying or delivering prohibited Russian oil from Russia to a third country by ship” in violation of UK sanctions regulations. The offence carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
Captain’s Defence and Legal Proceedings
Pant’s lawyer argued that the Indian captain was merely carrying out his professional duties. “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,” his solicitor James Diamond told the court.
The case has been transferred to Bournemouth Crown Court, where a plea and trial preparation hearing is scheduled for July 16. Pant’s wife, Ritu, said she learned about her husband’s arrest through media reports and maintained that he had an unblemished maritime career spanning over 15 years. She said he was only performing his duties as captain and was not responsible for the cargo or route decisions.
Vessel Details and Sanctions
The MV Smyrtos remains anchored off the Dorset coast under monitoring by British authorities. Twenty-four crew members from India and Georgia are still aboard the vessel. The tanker has been under UK and European Union sanctions since October 2025 and is alleged to be part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, a network of vessels accused of helping transport sanctioned Russian oil exports amid restrictions linked to the war in Ukraine.
International Response and Consular Support
The Indian High Commission in the UK has been granted consular access to Pant. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government has sought assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to facilitate support for the arrested captain. State Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli said the matter has been taken up with central authorities.
Pant’s arrest has sparked concerns about the implications of breaching sanctions and the role of Indian captains in facilitating Russian oil exports. As the case proceeds, international attention will focus on the legal and diplomatic fallout for all parties involved.
Original Article: Who Is Ajay Pant? Indian Captain of Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker Arrested in UK Over Sanctions Breach — Latestly