Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 09:51am on 22 Aug 2026,Saturday India
The wife of Indian merchant navy captain Ajay Pant has called him a “scapegoat” after British authorities arrested him over alleged violations of sanctions involving Russian oil. Pant, 38, was captaining the tanker Smyrtos when British commandos intercepted it in the English Channel in June. Prosecutors allege he knew about the vessel’s approximately 98,000-tonne oil cargo, while his defence says he was following the owner’s instructions. Pant faces charges carrying a maximum 10-year prison sentence, with his trial scheduled for December 15. He is the only crew member charged; India is providing consular assistance. (PC: AFP)
