President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron posted on X a photo of the seizure of an oil tanker that was en route from Russia. Macron wrote that the tanker is subject to international sanctions and is suspected of using a false flag.
“The operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, with the support of several of our allies. It was carried out in strict compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
A judicial investigation has been opened. The vessel has been diverted.
We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions.
The activities of the “shadow fleet” contribute to financing the war of aggression against Ukraine,” Emmanuel Macron said.
According to the French Navy, the tanker Grinch, which was sailing from Murmansk, was detained.
The Navy justified its actions with article 110 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the “right to inspection.”
Paragraph 2 of this article states: “A warship may verify the ship’s right to its flag. For this purpose, he can send a boat under the command of an officer to the suspected vessel. If suspicions remain after checking the documents, he may carry out further searches on board this vessel with all possible care.”
