Original Source
French Court Convicts Chinese Captain of Suspected Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker
French Court Sentences Chinese Captain
A French court has sentenced Chen Zhangjie (39), the Chinese captain of the Boracay tanker suspected of being part of a Russian 'shadow fleet,' to a one-year prison term and issued an arrest warrant in absentia. The captain was found guilty of failing to comply with orders to stop his ship in September. The French navy had boarded the Boracay tanker before releasing the vessel and its crew days later, an incident Russian leader Vladimir Putin condemned as 'piracy.'
Case Details and Background
The verdict was delivered by the court in the western city of Brest. Captain Chen Zhangjie was also ordered to pay a fine. This incident highlights the ongoing international scrutiny and sanctions against Russia's 'shadow fleet,' with French authorities increasing their surveillance of vessels linked to Russian economic activities.
*Source: SCMP China (2026-03-30)*
