The commander of a vessel from a Russian clandestine fleet that was seized by British forces in the English Channel has been brought before the court on charges related to violating sanctions.
The MV Smyrtos, loaded with 98,000 tons of oil, was intercepted by Royal Marine commandos and National Crime Agency officials during a UK-led operation to detain a sanctioned ship.
Ajay Pant, a 38-year-old Indian citizen, faces accusations of involvement in supplying prohibited oil from Russia to a third country in violation of specific regulations in June 2026.
Appearing via video link from Bournemouth police station, Pant attended a preliminary hearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, where he confirmed his personal details and stated his Indian address.
During the hearing, Pant did not enter a plea, and his lawyer requested the case to be transferred to the Crown Court, a request granted by District Judge David Robinson via video link from Portsmouth. The case is scheduled for a plea and trial preparation hearing on July 16 in Bournemouth Crown Court, with Pant remaining in custody until then.
It was revealed in court that the oil tanker, MV Smyrtos, is part of a covert Russian fleet of 700 vessels crucial for transporting 75% of Russia’s oil and supporting its activities, including funding the conflict in Ukraine.
The vessel has been detained in the UK, with its crew of 24 individuals from Georgia and India currently onboard, anchored off Weymouth in Dorset.
The Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Joanne Jakymec, stated that the decision to prosecute Pant was made following an investigation by the National Crime Agency into the MV Smyrtos incident.
Pant’s defense lawyer highlighted that his client, with no prior criminal record, was merely following orders as an employee of the vessel’s owner and had no personal benefit or connection to Russia.
District Judge Robinson cited the seriousness of the charges and the potential penalty as reasons for remanding Pant in custody until the next court hearing at the Crown Court.
Pant indicated his address in court as Virdeep, Shiv Vihar Colony, Near Power House, Chilkiya, Ramnagar, Nainital, situated northeast of Delhi.