Captain charged over sanctions breach in Russian shadow oil tanker operation
The Crown Prosecution has authorised charges against a ship’s captain for allegedly breaching sanctions after the seizure of a Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker in the English Channel on Sunday 14 June 2026.
Ajay Pant, 38, has been charged with allegedly breaching Russian sanctions during the period of June 2026.
Pant is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on June 16, 2026.
Joanne Jakymec, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Ajay Pant for breaching Russian sanctions following a National Crime Agency investigation and the seizure of the shadow oil tanker, MV Smyrtos, travelling through the English Channel over the last weekend.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We have worked closely with the National Crime Agency as they carried out their investigation.
“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Pant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Notes to editors
Ajay Pant is charged with:
- Contravening Reg 46Z9B Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
- Directly or indirectly supplying or delivering by ship prohibited oil / oil products from Russia to a third country.
Proceedings against the defendant are active and he has a right to a fair trial.
It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings.