French Navy Boards Mozambique-Flagged Oil Tanker

A Mozambique-flagged oil tanker, linked to Russia's shadow fleet, was seized by the French Navy in March. The vessel has now been released after its owner paid a fine. French authorities have not disclosed the fine's amount, but confirmed the ship has exited French waters.

The French Navy seized an oil tanker in March, but the vessel, flagged under Mozambique and part of Russia's shadow fleet, has now been released following the payment of a fine by its owner, authorities announced on Thursday.

The oil tanker, known as Deyna, was apprehended with assistance from British allies on March 20. French President Emmanuel Macron had identified the ship as belonging to a network that Moscow uses to export oil despite sanctions imposed by Western nations.

While the French Mediterranean prefecture and Marseille prosecutor chose not to disclose the fine's amount, they confirmed that the vessel has departed from French territorial waters after the incident.

(With inputs from agencies.)