An Indian merchant navy captain has been arrested in the UK over allegations of violating sanctions on Russian oil. His wife has called him a “scapegoat” and said he was caught in a situation he did not understand. Ajay Pant, a 38-year-old captain from Ramnagar in Uttarakhand, was taken into custody after British authorities stopped the oil tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel.
According to an AFP report, the arrest took place in June. Pant has been charged with sanctions-related offences, which can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years. His trial is reportedly scheduled to begin on December 15.
Pant’s wife, Ritu Pant, 36, told AFP that her husband was being made responsible for something that was not his fault. “My husband just became the scapegoat,” she said, adding that he was “at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Ritu said Pant was extremely upset when she first spoke to him after his arrest. She recalled that he was crying and struggling to understand why he had been jailed.
British prosecutors have accused Pant of being involved, directly or indirectly, in transporting or supplying Russian oil or oil products to another country in violation of sanctions. Pant has denied the allegations.
Under British law, Pant is entitled to a fair trial. However, his lawyers have raised concerns about the case and the legal process ahead.
British authorities intercepted the Smyrtos on June 14 in the English Channel. Officials alleged that the tanker was linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The term is used for a group of vessels with unclear ownership, insurance or registration that Russia is accused of using to avoid international oil sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
MarineTraffic data cited in the AFP report showed that the Smyrtos had left Russia’s Ust-Luga port on June 5. It was reportedly travelling towards Port Said in Egypt when British authorities stopped it.
The tanker was carrying around 98,000 tonnes of oil at the time, according to the report.
India extends support
Meanwhile, Indian authorities have said they are closely following Ajay Pant’s case and providing him with consular support.
According to AFP, officials from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs visited Pant to check on his condition. Pant was reportedly the only crew member of the tanker to face charges. Most of the other 24 sailors have returned to India, while the vessel is still anchored off the southern coast of England.
The Indian High Commission in London had earlier said it was monitoring the case. In June, it informed the Uttarakhand government that Pant was being held in judicial custody at HMP Winchester.
Indian officials met Pant on June 19. During the meeting, he reportedly said that he was in good health, was receiving medical treatment and was regularly speaking with his wife, according to PTI.
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