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UK Indian sailor Russia sanctions jailing controversy 2026
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
1 DAYS
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FIRST ENTRY NOV 06
NOV 06 · Day 1
UK jailing of Indian sailor over Russia sanctions sparks controversy
The British Defence Ministry stated that the UK can exercise criminal and maritime enforcement powers under its domestic Policing and Crime Act if a vessel is determined to be stateless.
Ajay Pant faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The MT Smyrtos was in international waters outside the UK's territorial jurisdiction when it was intercepted.
“It is unique in terms of the interception and the interdiction of a vessel that had been sanctioned, having passed through the English Channel as an international transit corridor. It’s, in my understanding, not happened before,”
DAVID HAMMOND
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