Indian Captain Arrested After UK Commandos Seize Russian Oil Tanker; Wife Calls Him ‘Scapegoat’

An Indian merchant navy captain has been held in Britain since June after authorities intercepted the oil tanker he was commanding in the English Channel and accused him of violating sanctions related to Russian oil.

Ajay Pant, 38, was the captain of the Smyrtos, a tanker that British forces intercepted on June 14. UK prosecutors allege that he helped transport or supply banned Russian oil or oil products by sea to another country.

Pant denies any wrongdoing. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

His wife, Ritu Pant, 36, said her husband had been made a “scapegoat”.

Pant, who is from Ramnagar in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district, remains in custody after being denied bail. His application to have the charges dismissed is scheduled to be heard on Nov. 12, while his trial is set to begin on Dec. 15.

Tanker left Russia carrying about 98,000 tonnes of oil

The Smyrtos is alleged to be part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a group of vessels with unclear ownership and insurance that Moscow is accused of using to bypass oil sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

According to MarineTraffic data, the tanker left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on June 5 and was heading towards Egypt’s Port Said.

British commandos boarded the vessel from a helicopter while it was sailing through the English Channel. Then-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the operation a “blow to Russia”.

The tanker was carrying around 98,000 tonnes of oil, according to information presented in court.

Pant was the only sailor among the crew to face charges. Most of the other 24 crew members have since returned home, while the vessel remains anchored off England’s southern coast.

Prosecutors say Pant knew about the cargo

Prosecutors allege that Pant had knowledge of the cargo and was responsible for the ship’s movement as its master.

His lawyer argued that Pant was simply following instructions from the vessel’s owner as an employee.

Ritu Pant made a similar argument, saying the captain’s responsibility was to ensure that the cargo reached its destination safely.

She said Pant was deeply distressed when he first called her after being arrested.

“He was broken and he was just crying,” she said. “He didn’t know what had happened to him… He just said, ‘I am in jail, please take me out’.”

Seafarers raise concerns over the case

Steve Yandell of the International Transport Workers’ Federation told AFP that seafarers may not always be aware that the cargo they are carrying is under sanctions. This can leave crew members caught up in geopolitical disputes, he said.

India has more than 320,000 seafarers and supplies a large workforce to the global merchant shipping industry.

Anwar Sadat of the Indian Society of International Law told AFP that the case involved “complex” legal questions.

The case is believed to be among the first instances in which a European country has brought criminal sanctions charges against the captain of a vessel linked to alleged shadow fleet activity instead of focusing only on the vessel’s owners or operators.

India provides consular support

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said its consular officials visited Pant to check on his wellbeing.

The Indian High Commission in London has also said it was monitoring the case.

In June, the Indian High Commission informed the Uttarakhand government that Pant was being held at HMP Winchester. When Indian officials spoke with him on June 19, he said he was in good health, receiving medical care and staying in regular contact with his wife, PTI reported.

The High Commission also raised the matter with British authorities to obtain consular access and ensure that Pant’s safety and legal rights were protected. It has remained in touch with his wife, lawyers and employer, Energios Maritime Private Limited, which has said it would provide legal support to Pant and assistance to his family.

Family appeals for help

Ritu Pant said her husband had told her shortly before his arrest that working at sea was becoming increasingly difficult.

Pant’s mother, Deepa, has asked the Indian government to help bring her son back home.

Pant remains in British custody and continues to deny the allegations. His application to have the charges dismissed will be heard on Nov. 12, with the trial scheduled to begin on Dec. 15.

References: Firstpost, Indian Express