Indian captain faces 10 years in UK jail over Russian oil: Why wife calls him a ‘scapegoat’

Indian merchant navy captain Ajay Pant, 38, faces up to 10 years in a UK prison after being charged with sanctions violations related to oil shipped from Russia. Pant, who was arrested in June following a British commando operation to intercept the tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel, is currently in custody. His wife, Ritu Pant, 36, claims her husband has been made a scapegoat and was in distress after his arrest.

British prosecutors allege that Pant knowingly supplied prohibited Russian oil to a third country, while Pant's defense argues he was merely following orders as an employee. The case has raised concerns about the extent of Western sanctions laws being applied to seafarers on vessels involved in shadow fleets. It is believed to be the first time European authorities have charged a ship captain with sanctions violations rather than targeting the ship or its owners.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has provided consular support to Pant, and his mother has appealed for his release.