France releases captain of Russian-linked oil tanker
French authorities have released the captain of an oil tanker suspected of being linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” while investigations into the vessel continue, prosecutors said on Wednesday.
The captain, a 58-year-old Indian national, had been taken into custody over the weekend after the tanker was intercepted by the French navy in the Mediterranean Sea. Authorities were examining suspicions that the vessel was operating under a false flag, a practice often associated with efforts to evade international sanctions.
According to the Marseille prosecutor’s office, the captain was released from detention earlier this week, although the legal inquiry remains active. The investigation is being conducted by the maritime gendarmerie under judicial supervision.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed last week that the navy boarded the tanker on the high seas after it was identified as coming from Russia and potentially breaching international restrictions. He stressed that France would not tolerate violations of sanctions imposed in response to geopolitical tensions.
The case highlights growing European scrutiny of maritime activities believed to be used to bypass sanctions, particularly in the energy sector.
-
12:27
-
11:31
-
11:08
-
10:49
-
10:01
-
09:55
-
09:54
-
09:51
-
08:29
-
08:26
-
07:51
-
07:47
-
07:44
-
07:41
-
07:38
-
07:35
-
07:29
-
07:23
-
07:18
-
07:17
-
16:06
-
15:51
-
14:55
-
14:51
-
14:29
-
14:20
-
14:15
-
14:03
-
13:55
-
13:51
-
13:35
-
13:15
-
13:10
-
13:06
