The boarding of a civilian vessel by US military personnel and its actual seizure is a gross violation of international maritime law.
Elchi.az reports that this was stated in a statement by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This is a serious violation of the legitimate rights and interests of the ship owner. The life and health of the Mariner crew, which includes citizens of several countries, are at risk,” the ministry said, calling threats to take legal action against the crew unacceptable.
The Foreign Ministry noted that the US military did not consider the risk of potential environmental damage to the North Atlantic when unsafely pursuing and armed seizure of the oil tanker.
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