French officials have taken the Indian captain of a suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker into custody days after the oil tanker was seized. On Thursday, the French navy intercepted the tanker - named the Grinch - which President Emmanuel Macron stated was subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag. The Grinch had been traveling through the Mediterranean Sea from the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk and is now moored, under guard, at a southern French port near Marseille.
Though Moscow has not yet commented, Macron indicated that the shadow fleet facilitates financing for Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. The office of the Marseille prosecutor confirmed that the remaining crew members, all of Indian nationality, are being kept on board while the 58-year-old captain faces investigation regarding the validity of the flag used by the tanker, which reports claim was sailing under a Comoros Islands flag. Nautical and air exclusion zones have been established around the anchorage site.
Macron also emphasized France's commitment to uphold international law and enforce sanctions effectively in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Additionally, earlier in January, British armed forces aided a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged tanker in the Atlantic for violating sanctions by transporting oil to Venezuela and Russia.
Shadow fleets, often utilized to bypass sanctions, have become increasingly common, with nations like Venezuela, Iran, and Russia accused of using such tactics. Financial intelligence from S&P Global estimates that one in five oil tankers worldwide may be involved in smuggling oil from sanctioned countries.
Though Moscow has not yet commented, Macron indicated that the shadow fleet facilitates financing for Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. The office of the Marseille prosecutor confirmed that the remaining crew members, all of Indian nationality, are being kept on board while the 58-year-old captain faces investigation regarding the validity of the flag used by the tanker, which reports claim was sailing under a Comoros Islands flag. Nautical and air exclusion zones have been established around the anchorage site.
Macron also emphasized France's commitment to uphold international law and enforce sanctions effectively in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Additionally, earlier in January, British armed forces aided a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged tanker in the Atlantic for violating sanctions by transporting oil to Venezuela and Russia.
Shadow fleets, often utilized to bypass sanctions, have become increasingly common, with nations like Venezuela, Iran, and Russia accused of using such tactics. Financial intelligence from S&P Global estimates that one in five oil tankers worldwide may be involved in smuggling oil from sanctioned countries.
