French Authorities Announce Trial for Captain of Oil Tanker Linked to Russia’s Shadow Fleet
The captain of an oil tanker allegedly linked to Russia’s shadow fleet will face trial in February over the crew’s alleged refusal to cooperate with authorities, a French prosecutor said Thursday.
French authorities have been investigating the tanker, which was immobilized off the country’s Atlantic coast. The vessel is believed to be part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of aging tankers that are avoiding Western sanctions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
The captain and two Chinese crew members were detained on Tuesday after the French navy boarded the ship on Saturday. A preliminary investigation was opened into the crew’s “refusal to cooperate” and “failure to justify the nationality of the vessel.”
Investigation Reveals Discrepancies in Vessel’s Nationality
According to Stéphane Kellenberger, prosecutor of the western port city of Brest, the inquiry showed that the captain couldn’t be directly considered responsible for the second offense. The investigation led by the French navy concluded that the ship was flying no flag and was coming from Russia, heading to India with a “large oil shipment.”
The French military spokesman, Col. Guillaume Vernet, said that the ship was ordered to stay in place in a safe area.
Macron Links Tanker to Russia’s War Effort
French President Emmanuel Macron has linked the tanker to Russia’s war effort, stating that it represents more than 30 billion euros and is “financed through the revenues of the shadow fleet.” He also praised the work of the French navy to “identify the presence of a shadow fleet.”
“You kill the business model by detaining even for days or weeks these vessels and forcing them to organize themselves differently,” Macron said.
The captain was summoned for trial in Brest on Feb. 23, facing up to one year in prison and a 150,000-euro ($176,000) fine.
This trial could have significant implications for international shipping and the enforcement of sanctions against Russia.
Original Article: Captain of oil tanker linked to Russia’s shadow fleet will face trial in France — Go