Captain and first mate of seized oil tanker to face prosecution in US

The captain and first mate of a seized oil tanker berthed in the Moray Firth are due to be prosecuted in the US.

The Marinera was intercepted by the US in the North Atlantic earlier this month. The United States has accused the vessel of breaching economic sanctions by carrying oil for Venezuela, Russia and Iran.

The ship, previously known as Bella 1, was boarded south of Iceland and is now in the Moray Firth.

Lawyers instructed by Captain Avtandil Kalandadze’s wife, Natia, alleged that the Georgian citizen may have been unlawfully detained without charge. She asked them to raise an action in the Court of Session, Scotland’s highest civil court.

The captain and first officer were detained after the tanker was seized. STV News

An interim interdict was granted by Judge Lord Young on Monday evening, however, it was later recalled the following morning after Mr Kalandadze and his first mate departed UK waters on a US Coast Guard vessel.

The US Embassy in London has confirmed that both men have been “lawfully arrested” and will face prosecution in an American court.

The remaining 26 crew members were taken to the Army Reserve base in Inverness for processing and stayed the night at the Premier Inn in Elgin.

The 21 crew members were transported to an Aberdeen hotel. Jasper Images

They were then transported to the Aberdeen Dyce Hotel. Five voluntarily waited to travelled to the US from RAF Lossiemouth while 21 left for other countries.

The US embassy states that the tanker was moved into Scottish waters for “safety reasons” and they are working closely with UK authorities “to determine a way forward for final disposition of the ship”.

A spokesperson said: “We appreciate the UK’s cooperation and support in the original interdiction of the vessel as well as with respect to ongoing processes regarding the ship and crew.”