French Court Sentences Tanker Captain Amid EU Crackdown on Russian Shadow Fleet
After sentencing the captain to the maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of €150,000, the court issued a warrant for his arrest. Chen was at sea at the time of his trial in February.
The captain’s lawyer, Henri de Richemont, said his client had complied with orders and been awaiting his shipping company’s approval to allow French authorities onboard. He also disputed France’s right to board the Boracay, arguing Paris lacked the jurisdiction to act against vessels in international waters.
Legal Uncertainties Cloud Captain’s Conviction
The lawyer cited the case of the Russia-linked oil tanker Eagle S, whose crew was accused of cutting undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland. The charges were dismissed by a Helsinki court over legal uncertainties over its right to try the case.
Richemont told POLITICO he would appeal the conviction, arguing that the decision is “not understandable from a legal standpoint.”
“There is no case law [in France],” he added. “It’s a first.”
EU Countries Ramp Up Enforcement Against Russian Oil Tankers
Chen’s case has been closely watched by diplomats and officials seeking to ramp up enforcement against tankers carrying Russian oil. France has detained three such vessels in recent months: the Boracay, the Grinch and the Deyna.
The move is part of a broader effort by EU countries to crack down on Russian shadow fleet operations, which have been accused of circumventing international sanctions. The Boracay‘s detention comes as European authorities are increasingly scrutinizing tankers suspected of carrying Russian oil, amid concerns over the impact on global energy markets and potential violations of international law.
As the situation continues to unfold, diplomats and officials will be closely monitoring developments in Chen’s case, as well as the broader implications for EU-Russia relations and global energy security.
Original Article: France sentences tanker captain as EU countries crack down on Russian shadow fleet — Politico