The Russian captain of the tanker Sea Owl I, boarded by Swedish authorities off Trelleborg on Thursday as part of suspected shadow fleet operations, has been arrested on suspicion of gross use of false documents. This follows continued searches and interrogations, amid international reactions.
Searches and crew interrogations continued on Friday aboard the Comoros-flagged tanker Sea Owl I, boarded the previous evening by Swedish police and Coast Guard off Trelleborg. The vessel, previously reported as heading from Brazil to Russia and listed on the EU sanctions list, led to the arrest of its Russian captain on probable cause for gross use of false documents, according to senior prosecutor Adrien Combier-Hogg.
“We have now decided to arrest the captain based on preliminary investigation measures,” Combier-Hogg stated in a press release. Further interrogations are scheduled over the weekend, with a decision on detention or release required by Monday lunch.
This development follows the initial boarding during operation Strix, prompted by suspicions of false flagging, sanctions violations, and safety deficiencies—echoing the recent detention of the bulk carrier Caffa nearby, whose Russian captain remains held and the vessel under an international use ban.
Coast Guard deputy operational chief Daniel Stenling reiterated: “Shipping should know that we maintain order at sea and act to increase safety for those operating in our waters.”
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha praised the actions on X: “We commend this powerful action. Russia's shadow fleet contributes to financing the country's war against Ukraine and threatens our European security. It must be met decisively.”
The Russian embassy in Sweden is monitoring both vessels, stating it will provide consular assistance to crew members.
