Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Indian Captain Arrested in UK Over Alleged Russian Oil Shipment
British authorities stopped a ship called MV Smyrtoz in the English Channel.
They say the ship was carrying Russian oil covered by sanctions.
Captain Ajay Pant, who was in charge of the ship, was arrested.
He is the only sailor from the crew facing criminal charges.
Prosecutors say he should have known what the ship was carrying.
His lawyer says Pant was only following the owner’s instructions.
Pant’s wife says he was made a scapegoat and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
India is watching the case and helping him receive legal and consular support.
His trial is expected to start on 15 December.
Indian merchant navy Captain Ajay Pant was arrested on 14 June after British forces intercepted the tanker MV Smyrtoz in the English Channel.
UK prosecutors accuse Pant of helping supply or deliver sanctioned Russian oil to a third country; he is the only crew member charged.
The tanker reportedly carried 98,000 tonnes of crude oil and had departed Russia’s Ust-Luga port for Egypt.
Pant’s lawyer says he was following the vessel owner’s instructions, while his wife calls him a scapegoat.
Pant remains in British custody without bail, and his trial is scheduled to begin on 15 December.
- Who
- Indian merchant navy Captain Ajay Pant is charged by UK prosecutors; the remaining 24 crew members were released.
- What
- Pant was arrested over an alleged breach of UK sanctions involving the supply or delivery of Russian oil to a third country.
- When
- He was arrested on 14 June, and his trial is scheduled to begin on 15 December.
- Where
- British forces intercepted MV Smyrtoz in the English Channel; Pant is being held at HMP Winchester.
- Why
- UK authorities allege that Pant, as the vessel’s master, knew what the tanker was carrying and was responsible for its movement.
UK Prosecution
Pant’s Defense and Family
Captain’s responsibility
UK Prosecution
Prosecutors allege that Pant was the vessel’s master, responsible for its movement, and therefore knew what it was carrying.
Pant’s Defense and Family
Pant’s lawyer says he was only following instructions from the vessel’s owner and rejects the allegation that he knowingly breached sanctions.
Responsibility for sanctioned cargo
UK Prosecution
UK authorities accuse Pant of the alleged supply or delivery of sanctioned Russian oil or oil products to a third country.
Pant’s Defense and Family
Pant’s wife, Ritu Pant, says he was made a scapegoat and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Risks to seafarers
UK Prosecution
The prosecution’s case treats the ship’s master as accountable for the vessel’s movement and cargo under the alleged sanctions breach.
Pant’s Defense and Family
The International Transport Workers’ Federation says sailors may not know what their vessels are carrying and can become caught in geopolitical conflicts.
- Vessel
- MV Smyrtoz
- Reported cargo
- 98,000 tonnes of crude oil
- Crew charged
- Captain Ajay Pant is the only crew member facing charges
- Other crew members
- The other 24 sailors were released, with most repatriated
- Maximum sentence
- The alleged offences carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years
- Departure
- The vessel reportedly left Russia’s Ust-Luga port on 5 June
- Trial
- Pant’s trial begins on 15 December