Captain of Suspected Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker to Face Trial in France
A tanker named Boracay is at the centre of a legal dispute after being boarded by the French Navy. The captain will stand trial in France next February, accused of failing to prove the ship's national origin. The vessel is suspected of links to Russia's shadow fleet and drone incursions into Danish airspace.
The Boracay, flying the flag of Benin, was intercepted over the weekend off France's Atlantic coast. The captain, whose identity remains unknown, will face trial on 23 February 2023. Prosecutors are also investigating the crew's refusal to cooperate, though the captain is not directly responsible for this offence.
The tanker was previously detained by Estonia under a different name. French President Emmanuel Macron alleges it belongs to Russia's shadow fleet, contributing to the country's war effort. Macron estimates that 30 to 40% of Russia's war financing comes from such vessels, totaling over €30 billion. The captain faces up to one year in prison and a €150,000 fine if convicted.
The French navy ordered the Boracay to stay in a safe area off Saint-Nazaire. The captain and chief mate were initially detained but later released, with the chief mate facing no charges.
The trial of the Boracay's captain in February will shed more light on the vessel's suspected links to Russia's shadow fleet and potential involvement in drone incursions. The ship remains off the coast of France, ordered to stay in place by the French navy.
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