France seizes cargo ship suspected of violating sanctions against Russia

France seizes cargo ship suspected of violating sanctions against Russia. The French government has seized a cargo ship suspected of violating EU sanctions on Russia.

France seizes cargo ship suspected of violating sanctions against Russia

French maritime police on Saturday (February 26) seized a cargo ship that authorities suspect belonged to a Russian company targeted by European Union sanctions, a government official told Reuters.

Veronique Magnin, captain of the French Maritime Prefecture, said the cargo ship, which was loaded with cars and headed for St. Petersburg, Russia, was “strongly suspected of being linked to sanctioned Russian interests.

” The cargo ship was transferred to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France between 3 am and 4 am. French customs officials are currently inspecting the cargo ship, and the crew is “cooperating”.

The Russian news agency (RIA) said the Russian embassy in France had asked France to explain the seizure of the cargo ship.

The French newspaper La Voix Du Nord, which first reported the news, said the ship, known as the Baltic Leader, flew a Russian flag.

Magnin said the company that owned the vessel belonged to a Russian businessman on a list of people subject to EU sanctions against Russia.

EU member states agreed Friday to freeze European assets of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister, punishing Russia for attacking Ukraine. A broader list of personnel sanctions was drawn up earlier this month.