The charterer of a Russian-flagged tanker allegedly detained in Libya issued a statement dismissing oil-smuggling charges.
Advertisement
Russia’s Embassy in Libya is verifying reports that Libyan military forces have seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker. The ship was empty.
“We received information about their location and it seemed that they were readying to leave so we raided the place and arrested them” on Thursday, the official said.
According to the company, the forces did not explain the reason for the detainment.
The ship was then taken to Tripoli.
Currently, the crew is on board the tanker. Moscow said it was working to secure the release of the Russian nationals.
At least seven bodies were recovered – including a child – and four pregnant women were listed as missing, as an oil tanker rescued 102 migrants from the Mediterranean off Tripoli on Friday. “11 crew members were detained“. “There will be interrogations to determine the goal of the ship’s arrival”, Colonel Ayub Kassem told RIA Novosti.
Kassem elaborated that the interrogations would be conducted “in accordance with Libyan law and global standards”, and said that all crew members are now at a naval base in Tripoli.
The oil tanker Mekhanik Chebotarev was reportedly being filled with oil by smaller vessels out at sea.
Advertisement
Libya has been plunged into insecurity and chaos since dictator Moamer Kadhafi’s ouster in a 2011 revolution, torn between an administration in Tripoli and the internationally recognised government in the oil-rich country’s far east.
