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Russian Crew Members of Seized Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker Could Face US Prosecution
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The crew of the Venezuela-linked oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, including several Russian nationals, now faces possible prosecution under US federal law after the vessel was seized by the United States in the North Atlantic, Sky News reported on January 7, citing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The ship was seized pursuant to a federal court warrant, as it was tracked transporting sanctioned oil as part of Venezuela’s so-called shadow fleet.
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“This was a Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel that has transported sanctioned oil, and the United States of America, under this president, is not going to tolerate that,” Leavitt stated.
“The vessel had a judicial seizure order on the crew, so that means the crew is now subject to prosecution for any applicable violation of federal law, and they will be brought to the United States for such prosecution if necessary,” she continued.
The seizure is part of the US’s strategy to enforce sanctions against Venezuela, and Russia has demanded the “humane and dignified treatment” of its citizens on board, Sky News wrote.
Moscow also insists on their swift return to Russia, as it continues to monitor reports of US troops’ involvement in the operation.
Previously, it was reported that in response to the United States seizing Russian oil tankers, a senior Russian official has suggested a military retaliation, going as far as threatening a nuclear strike against US and suggesting that the US is now in a state of “euphoria of impunity” following Venezuelan leader' Maduro’s arrest, Russian media reported.
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