The Boracay, a tanker previously sanctioned under EU rules for its links to the so‑called shadow fleet, was intercepted while sailing under a Beninese flag and transporting Russian oil to India, with two Russian security company employees aboard to monitor the crew and collect intelligence.

French Brest correctional court sentenced captain Chen Zhangjie to a maximum of one year in prison and fined him €150,000 for refusing to comply with a French military inspection in international waters on September 27, 2025.

The interception occurred after the French navy boarded the vessel in international waters off western France, and the ship was released with its crew days later amid ongoing tensions over Moscow’s sanctions related to its invasion of Ukraine.

The case follows prior French military action against the Boracay in 2025 off France’s western coast, with investigations into possible drone-related links; Macron cited suspected serious offenses but did not specify drone connections.

Background notes indicate French forces previously boarded the Boracay in 2025, and Macron commented on suspected serious offences without elaborating on drone‑speculation.

Prosecutors argued the crew showed deliberate non-cooperation, creating a dangerous situation during the naval interception.

The captain did not appear in court; his attorney argued the French court lacked jurisdiction over actions in international waters, a point the court did not accept.

The captain claimed he was balancing orders from his employer and the French navy, and his lawyer said the conviction was incomprehensible and that an appeal was sought.

The captain’s lawyer criticized the ruling as incomprehensible and argued French courts have no authority over actions in international waters.

The Boracay briefly flew a Benin flag during the confrontation, though Benin later confirmed that no vessel was registered under their flag.

The incident on September 27, 2025, involved the vessel delaying the inspection demanded by naval authorities, according to the Brest prosecutor’s office.

The ship’s captain defended the delay in raising the flag, citing weather and saying he was awaiting authorization from the owner before boarding could proceed.