Russian ship intercepted in the English Channel due to European sanctions

International

26-02-2022, 14:27

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Baghdad-INA

French customs have intercepted a merchant ship carrying vehicles to Saint Petersburg believed to be linked to a Russian company targeted by European Union sanctions against Moscow and diverted its course to Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France.

This 127-meter-long vessel, which was intercepted by customs off Honfleur on Friday night, "is suspected of being linked to Russian interests targeted by sanctions," said Veronique Manin, regional communications official in the Maritime Administration .

A customs patrol boat, supported by a gendarmerie patrol boat and a navy patrol boat, escorted the "Baltic Leader" ship, which was flying the Russian flag to leave Rouen .

On Thursday, the European Union approved an unprecedented package of sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, shortly before London and Washington reinforced their restrictions but without taking drastic measures .

A spokesman for the Russian embassy in Paris told the TASS news agency that the captain of the ship contacted the embassy, which then contacted the French authorities to request an explanation of the incident .

Source: France-Presse