French authorities on Saturday reported that a Russian vessel was suspected of violate trade sanctions decided by the European Union (EU) against Russia.
The Baltic Leader, flying the Russian flag, which had set french veil city of Rouen, was escorted to port of Boulogne-sur-Mer by French forces, the maritime prefecture told Agence France-Presse (AFP). He is suspected of belonging to a company subject to EU sanctions against Moscow, he added.
He was arrested by a French customs patrol boat supported by a police surveillance vessel and a patrol boat of the navy, says Véronique Magnin of the regional prefecture.
The 127-meter (417-foot) vessel is “strongly suspected of being linked to sanctioned Russian interests,” she said, adding that while such a step was “rare” car it’s a sign of “firmness.”
the move comes after the EU adopted unprecedented sanctions on Thursday against Russian individuals, companies and other entities to punish Moscow for son invasion of Ukraine.
