France Detains Russian Captain of Suspected Sanctions-Busting Tanker

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Paris: French authorities have detained the Russian captain of an oil tanker suspected of being part of a network used to transport sanctioned Russian oil.

The vessel, Tagor, was intercepted by the French navy in international waters after allegedly sailing under a false Cameroonian flag and failing to comply with orders. The ship was travelling from Russia's Murmansk port towards Cameroon, authorities said.

Prosecutors said the captain faces up to one year in prison and a €150,000 fine. The ship's owner could also face penalties.

The tanker is suspected of carrying Russian or Iranian oil in breach of international sanctions and has been linked by sanctions monitoring groups to shipping businessman Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.

The seizure highlights growing European efforts to crack down on vessels accused of helping evade sanctions on Russian energy exports.

Pic Credit: AFP