French Court Sentences Captain of Russian “Shadow Fleet” Tanker to One Year in Prison
A French court has sentenced the captain of a tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet to one year in prison and fined him 150,000 euros. The captain, Chen Zhangjie, was detained after an incident off the coast of Brittany, according to Le Monde.
The investigation revealed that the captain refused to comply with the demands of the French military when they attempted to inspect the 244-meter tanker without clearly identifying its flag. His actions forced the military to perform a dangerous maneuver that could have led to an accident.
Russian Private Security Company Involved
Law enforcement officials found that representatives of a Russian private security company were on board, monitoring the crew and gathering information. The tanker was transporting Russian oil to India and was flying a false flag of Benin before being detained. This incident highlights the involvement of Russian entities in the shadow fleet, which has been suspected of involvement in various incidents around the world.
Previous Suspicions Confirmed
The ship was also previously suspected of involvement in drone incidents over Denmark, but this episode was not considered by the French court. The tanker‘s previous name, Boracay, and its subsequent change to Phoenix and sailing under the Russian flag further raise concerns about its true intentions.
Detention and Investigation
After the incident, the tanker changed its name to Phoenix and sailed under the Russian flag. French authorities detained it for about six days. During this time, investigators found that the ship was transporting Russian oil to India, which has raised questions about the true nature of the shadow fleet’s activities.
The Boracay represents one vessel in a larger network of ships used to circumvent international sanctions against Russia. The incident highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation among nations to combat these types of activities.
Original Article: Captain of Russian “shadow fleet” tanker convicted in France — Prm