The embassy of Russia in Iran reported that the ship’s captain, who was in command of the vessel transporting Russian oil, has been taken into custody. The notification was conveyed to the news agency through the diplomatic mission, as reported by DEA News. Earlier, Albania’s national police confirmed the arrest of a Liberian-flagged tanker suspected of violating European Union and United States sanctions, according to local authorities.
Russian officials in Tehran stated that the seized vessel had loaded its cargo from a Turkish tanker within Greek territorial waters and had departed toward the Albanian port of Durres. Local authorities believe the oil originated from one of the ports on the Russian Black Sea coast and was destined for an Albanian company identified as AV Internacional Group. Investigators are examining the chain of ownership and the transfer of ownership of the cargo to determine how the shipment fits within sanction regimes enforced by the EU and allied countries.
Durres police, acting on orders issued by the public prosecutor, intercepted the ship and secured the crew members, most of whom were reported to be Russian. The authorities also confiscated the crew members’ passports after determining that the oil’s country of origin documentation was not in order. This action underscores the ongoing scrutiny of energy transfers that may breach international sanctions, and it highlights the emphasis placed on origin documentation and certificate verification in maritime cargo operations.
Diplomatic channels indicate that an ongoing inquiry has been opened. The captain, named Alexei Smaznov, has been detained on charges related to smuggling. The case is being reviewed to establish whether the vessel and its cargo violated sanction controls and to determine any potential links to sanctioned entities or blacklisted destinations. The incident has drawn attention to maritime compliance practices and the mechanisms through which port authorities cooperate with international partners to enforce economic restrictions across sea routes.
The sequence of events suggests a complex web of cargo logistics and flag state considerations. Investigators are compiling evidence from the vessel’s voyage data recorders, port authorities, and the relevant marine registries to map the cargo’s provenance and the commercial arrangements that moved it from source to destination. Authorities emphasize that rigorous verification of cargo origin, origin certificates, and the legitimacy of trading counterparties remains critical to preventing sanctions evasion and to maintaining the integrity of global energy markets. The case also serves as a reminder to shipping companies and brokers about the importance of transparent documentation and compliant trading practices when dealing with Russian oil or any oil linked to sanctioned routes.
As this matter develops, observers note that the intersection of energy security, international law, and maritime law continues to evolve. The incident illustrates how sanctions enforcement intersects with routine commercial operations and how port authorities, law enforcement agencies, and diplomatic missions collaborate to monitor and respond to potential violations. The authorities have indicated that further updates will be released as investigations progress and more details become available through official channels.