UK jailing of Indian sailor over Russia sanctions sets off ‘perfect storm’

The detention of an Indian merchant navy officer in the United Kingdom, accused of violating Russia-related sanctions while captaining a crude oil tanker, has raised alarm among seafarer advocates and legal experts. Ajay Pant, an 18-year veteran sailor, was taken into custody after British forces intercepted the MT Smyrtos in the English Channel in June. The ship was allegedly part of a network helping Moscow evade Western economic restrictions on oil and gas sales amid the war in Ukraine.

Pant’s wife, Ritu Pant, who lives in Uttarakhand, northern India, learned of the capture through a social media post in mid-June. Her husband had left Paradip Port in Odisha on April 25 aboard the tanker, which was carrying Russian oil and bound for India via the Suez Canal. The interception by Royal Marines Commandos was a first-of-its-kind operation authorised by then British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Unprecedented legal action

The case marks the first known instance of a European nation arresting a ship captain on sanctions-related grounds. Tony Patten, UK representative of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, called it “a unique case.” Other European countries have seized ships accused of violating Russia sanctions but released the crews. In March, a French court prosecuted a captain in absentia; in Finland, charges against a captain were dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

Ajay Pant faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. His ship was in international waters, outside British territorial jurisdiction, when it was intercepted. The operation involved multiple helicopters, a patrol aircraft, a frigate, and a mine countermeasures ship, according to the British Ministry of Defence. Starmer posted on X that the operation “delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.”

Risks for seafarers

David Hammond, founder of the nonprofit Human Rights At Sea, said the outcome will determine how coastal states enforce sanctions and could lead to the “criminalisation of seafarers.” He noted a broader pattern of crews being arrested for crimes they were unaware of, citing the 2023 detention of a Finnish-Syrian chief mate in Turkey after cocaine was found on board. Patten added that seafarers shouldn’t be penalised automatically: “Our stance is that seafarers being penalised automatically when something like this happens isn’t fair.”

The case unfolds amid rising dangers for commercial shipping. At least 24 seafarers have been killed in the Strait of Hormuz since February, and more than 120 ships attacked. In the Black Sea, at least 40 sailors have died in over 570 attacks. Piracy off Somalia has resurged. Ritu Pant tracked her husband’s ship online due to network disruptions at sea, only to discover his arrest. Ajay Pant remains in detention after bail was denied.