Belgian prosecutors open case against detained tanker belonging to Russia’s "shadow fleet"
On Sunday, the Belgian federal prosecutor's office announced the opening of a case against the oil tanker Ethera to investigate possible violations of Belgian maritime law.
This was reported by RTBF, according to Censor.NET with reference to European Truth.
The tanker was detained after an operation in the North Sea
The Guinean-flagged vessel was intercepted by Belgian armed forces in the North Sea on Saturday evening, after which it was redirected to Belgian territorial waters and detained in the port of Zeebrugge.
According to the federal prosecutor's office, an inspection of the vessel conducted in the presence of an inspector from the FPS Mobility Directorate-General for Navigation "confirmed signs of a false flag" and led to the discovery of documents "that are likely to be forged."
After consulting with the West Flanders public prosecutor, an investigation was launched and an order was issued to redirect the vessel. The public prosecutor's office stated that it was working closely with the West Flanders public prosecutor's office, the maritime police, and the Shipping Administration, without providing further details at this stage.
Signs of a "shadow fleet" and international involvement
General Frédéric Vancina explained that Belgium had been monitoring the tanker for "some time," citing several typical signs of such operations: frequent voyages between Russia and South America, regular switching off of identification systems, and changing flags.
The bridge was seized around midnight, and full control of the vessel was established shortly thereafter. All 21 crew members were identified. The vessel arrived in Zeebrugge on Sunday morning, where it was detained.
They boarded the 180-meter-long ship shortly before midnight. Ninety-three military personnel, a search dog, and the French navy participated in the operation.
What preceded it?
Earlier it was reported that the Belgian and French military took control of a tanker belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet". The ship is being escorted to Zeebrugge for arrest.
