UK jailing of Indian sailor over Russia sanctions sets off ‘perfect storm’

Indian captain Ajay Pant was arrested in the UK after authorities seized the MT Smyrtos, the oil tanker he commanded, in mid-June over alleged links to Russia’s sanctions-evasion shadow fleet. The ship had left Paradip Port in India on April 25, and Pant is accused of breaching British sanctions by taking command of it. His wife, Ritu Pant, says she learned of the seizure through a social media post. Lawyers and seafarer-rights advocates warn the case could set a precedent, as it is the first known instance of a European country keeping a ship captain in custody on such grounds.