NEW DELHI: The Indian captain of a sanctioned Russian shadow fleet oil tanker seized by British armed forces last month was denied bail Thursday by a London court where he is accused of violating sanctions against Moscow.Ajay Pant (38), a resident of Chilkiya in Ramnagar, near Nainital, Uttarakhand, appeared at Southwark crown court via video link from prison on Thursday. No plea was entered and a four-week trial was scheduled to start December 15.Pant made an application for bail, which was denied over concerns he could abscond or receive assistance from Russia to flee.He also made an application for the charges against him to be dismissed, which will be heard on November 12.The principle charge Pant faces is the maritime transportation of certain oil and oil products to and between third countries, contrary to Regulation 46z9b of the Russia (Sanctions) (Eu Exit) Regulations, 2019. The offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.The legislation applies to anyone who owns, controls, charters, or operates a ship carrying these prohibited goods.On June 14, Royal Marines and the National Crime Agency boarded MV Smyrtos after it had entered UK territorial waters and identified Pant as the master of the vessel, which has been sanctioned by the EU and UK since Oct 2025 for its involvement in export of Russian crude.According to the prosecution, Pant had “knowledge of the cargo”, which amounted to around 98,000 tonnes of Russian oil.Speaking after the hearing, Manoj Yadav, general secretary of FSUI (Forward Seamen’s Union of India), told TOI: “It is a minimum requirement of the international unions that there should be a fast trial court for such cases when a foreign seafarer is detained in a third country. We are very strongly saying he should get bail or his case fast-tracked. If the trial is listed in Dec, the seafarers on board the ship may have to remain until after that.”Twenty-four crew members from Georgia and India remain on board the vessel, currently anchored off Weymouth, Dorset.According to SeaTrade Maritime News, the ship’s owner and commercial manager is Hong Kong-based Zhao Yao Shipping, with Chennai-based Vika Line Marine Services as international safety manager.
