BOULOGNE-SUR-MER, FRANCE --
France on Saturday seized a automotive cargo ship within the English Channel that Washington says was linked to the son of a former Russian spy chief, in one of many first seen shows of the West imposing sanctions on Moscow over its Ukraine invasion.
The "Baltic Chief" was headed for St. Petersburg however was diverted to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., Captain Veronique Magnin of the French Maritime Prefecture instructed Reuters.
The vessel was "strongly suspected of being linked to Russian pursuits focused by the sanctions," she mentioned.
America Treasury Division has issued blocking sanctions in opposition to the vessel as a result of, in line with Treasury, it was owned by a subsidiary of Russian lender Promsvyazbank, one of many Russian entities hit by U.S. sanctions.
The financial institution's CEO, Pyotr Fradkov, is the son of Mikhail Fradkov, a former head of Russia's overseas intelligence service, who additionally served as prime minister underneath Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pyotr Fradkov was himself included within the newest spherical of U.S. sanctions.
Promsvyazbank, in a remark despatched to Reuters, mentioned its subsidiary now not owns the Baltic Chief, and that it was purchased by a unique entity earlier than the sanctions had been imposed.
The French economic system ministry, in a press release, mentioned the ship's proprietor was Promsvyazbank subsidiary PZB Lizing, and that the ship was intercepted in enforcement of EU sanctions on the lender and its subsidiaries.
Magnin, the maritime prefecture spokeswoman, mentioned ongoing checks had been being carried out by customs officers and the ship's crew was "being co-operative."
The Russian embassy in Paris will ship a be aware of protest to the French overseas ministry over the seizure, the embassy mentioned in a press release despatched to Reuters.
The embassy additionally mentioned the ship's crew had been allowed to return ashore and transfer freely concerning the port.
A Reuters photographer on the port mentioned the ship was moored at dockside.
America, European Union, and different Western states this week imposed in depth new monetary and commerce sanctions on Russia after it despatched army forces into neighbouring Ukraine.
The U.S. Treasury Division mentioned Promsvyazbank was put underneath sanctions "for working or having operated within the protection and associated materiel and monetary companies sectors of the Russian Federation economic system." It was additionally focused by EU sanctions. Learn full story
A demonstrator holds a banner depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout a pro-Ukraine protest outdoors the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (AP Picture/Oded Balilty)
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