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France: Captain of tanker detained for investigation regarding false flag

Published January 26, 2026, 06:12
France: Captain of tanker detained for investigation regarding false flag

The captain of the Grinch tanker, which was arrested in the Mediterranean by French authorities, has been detained and is being investigated to see if the ship was sailing under a false flag. The arrest was made on suspicion that the ship belongs to the 'shadow fleet' used to circumvent sanctions against Russia and transport oil. The Grinch had sailed from the Russian port of Murmansk and was flying the flag of the Comoros Islands. The remaining crew members, also Indians, remain on board the ship until the documents are examined and the flag is confirmed. France has already arrested another ship linked to oil trade with Russia in the past.