‘My husband was made the scapegoat,’ wife of Indian captain held in Britain speaks out over Russia sanctions breach case

The wife of Indian merchant navy officer Ajay Pant, Ritu Pant, has spoken out about her husband's arrest while navigating the MV Smyrtos oil tanker through the English Channel. The 38-year-old captain is accused of breaching Russia's sanctions and involvement in the country's so-called shadow fleet. Ritu maintains that her husband was unjustly targeted, stating, "My husband was made the scapegoat."

She emphasized that the captain's primary duty is to ensure the safe delivery of cargo, not to engage in controversial activities.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Britain imposed sanctions on vessels aiding Moscow in moving oil. The MV Smyrtos, accused of transporting oil and operating through complex ownership arrangements, faces sanctions charges in Britain. The intercepted vessel is currently anchored off the southern English coast, while the remaining 24 crew members were deported without charges.

Ritu recalled her husband's emotional state after his arrest, describing him as "broken and crying." She noted that he was unaware of the situation and simply expressed his distress, saying, "I am in jail, please take me out." Ajay had conversed with Ritu days before his arrest, expressing concern about the increasing dangers at sea due to the US-Iran war, as his mother, Deepa, shared with AFP.

The mother of the crew member from Uttarakhand's Nainital appealed to the Indian government, asserting that her son was doing his job and was "at the wrong place at the wrong time." Her defense argued that Ajay was merely following orders from the ship's owner and had no control over the commercial arrangements regarding the cargo.

The MV Smyrtos was en route to Egypt's Port Said when British commandos intercepted it with helicopters. According to prosecutors, Ajay was considered the "master of the ship" and alleged to have knowledge about the cargo's internal whereabouts.