In the latest updates in the Russia shadow fleet case, Captain Ajay Pant’s wife Ritu Pant alleged that her husband is being a “scapegoat” in the entire matter.Pant's wife said he was suffering and struggling in custody after being denied bail.
Captain Ajay Pant (38) faces several charges has been charged with sanctions offences carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. His trial is scheduled to begin on December 15.
What Did His Wife Say?
Ajay Pant’s wife, Ritu Pant says that her husband is being made the “scapegoat” to AFP. “He was in the wrong place”, the 36-year-old woman told in her first ever interview. Pant’s wife said her husband was a victim of the circumstances and was struggling in custody after being denied bail.
“He was broken and he was just crying,” she told AFP, recalling their first phone call after he was held. “He didn't know what had happened to him. He just said, ‘I am in jail, please take me out’.”
What Is The Case
On June 14, the British commandos fast-roped from a helicopter captained by Pant to intercept the sanctioned oil tanker Smyrtos. The vessel is allegedly part of Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of ships with opaque ownership and insurance arrangements that Moscow is accused of using to evade oil sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine.
According to a report by MarineTraffic, the vessel sailed from Russia’s Ust-Luga port on June 5 and passed through the Baltic Sea, with Egypt’s Port Said listed as its destination. As it crossed the English Channel, British commandos intercepted the. Then-prime minister Keir Starmer described the operation as “a blow to Russia”.
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What Happened In The Court
Prosecutors stated that Pant was the “master of the ship” and knew about its cargo, which consisted of around 98,000 tonnes of oil. Pant’s lawyer told a court that the captain was “simply following orders” as an employee of the vessel’s owner. His wife has also maintained that his responsibility was to safely transport the cargo to its destination.
The case raises complex legal questions and could become an important test as European countries intensify action against Russia’s shadow fleet.
It is believed to be the first case in Europe in which sanctions-violation charges have been brought against a ship’s captain rather than only the vessel or its owners.
What Did India Say?
India’s Foreign Ministry has said its consular officials visited Pant to enquire about his wellbeing. Pant is the only sailor from the vessel to have been charged. Most of the other 24 crew members have since been repatriated.
The Smyrtos remains anchored off England’s southern coast.The case has also raised concerns among seafarers about being caught between geopolitical powers, according to Steve Yandell, coordinator of the seafarers’ section of the International Transport Workers’ Federation