Indian captain ‘scapegoat’ in Britain’s Russia shadow fleet case, says wife

Ritu Pant, wife of Indian captain Ajay Pant, has spoken out defending her husband, stating that a ship master's responsibility is simply to deliver cargo safely to its destination. Her husband, Ajay Pant, 38, is currently being held in custody in Britain, awaiting trial for sanctions offences that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The charges stem from an alleged Russian shadow fleet oil vessel, the Smyrtos, which was seized by British commandos in the English Channel on June 14. Pant is the only seafarer charged, while the majority of the 24 crew members have since been repatriated. The Smyrtos, allegedly part of Russia's ghost fleet, was sailing from the Russian port of Ust-Luga when British commandos fast-roped from a helicopter to intercept it.

The tanker was bound for Egypt's Port Said, but as it crossed the Channel, it was seized. Ritu Pant, in her first interview since her husband's arrest, expressed her husband's distress, saying he "just said, I am in jail, please take me out." She emphasized that her husband was simply following orders as an employee of the vessel's owner and that his responsibility is to ensure the cargo is delivered safely to its destination.

The prosecution claims that Pant had knowledge of the cargo, which amounts to 98,000 tonnes of oil. Pant's lawyer argued that his client was merely following orders, a claim echoed by his wife. Legal experts highlight that the case raises complex legal questions and could set a precedent for how European countries enforce sanctions against merchant seafarers.

The trial is scheduled to begin on December 15, and could become a key test as Western governments step up action against Russia's shadow fleet.