Overview
- The Deyna, which a Marseille court fined on April 15 for lacking proof of registration, was released after payment and left French waters under maritime supervision.
- French officials said the fine was sent to the state asset‑recovery agency AGRASC, and the shipowner pledged to secure a new flag soon.
- French forces first intercepted the tanker on March 20 in the western Mediterranean under UNCLOS Article 110 to check a suspected false Mozambican flag, with UK tracking support.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the stops at sea and said it would use all available tools to uphold freedom of navigation.
- France is tightening checks on sanction‑evading tankers, with recent boardings and a draft law to raise penalties for false flags or ignoring stop orders to up to seven years in prison and €700,000 when boarders’ lives are put at risk.