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Captain of Russian shadow tanker sentenced to one year in prison and a €150,000 fine
Chen Zhangjie, 39, , the Chinese captain the 'Boracay', which was seized off the coast of Brittany on Sep 27, 2025, and is now sailing as 'Phoenix', was tried in absentia in Brest. The Brest criminal court delivered its verdict on March 30, following the trial of the captain of the ship, part of the Russian dark fleet. During the trial, which took place inthe defendant's absence, the Brest prosecutor's office requested the maximum sentence: one year in prison and a €150,000 fine, which was also the sentence of the court. Deputy prosecutor Gabriel Rollin had requested an arrest warrant for Chen Zhangjie, who was at sea during the trial. Gabriel Rollin asserted that the French military had faced particular ill will from the captain of the tanker, when it was sailing towards India, and flying no flag. The ship had changed its flag and name numerous times. It was also suspected of involvement in the drone overflights that disrupted Danish air traffic in September- "It was raining, and you don't fly a flag when it's raining," Chen Zhangjie explained while in custody after the seizure at 2.32 p.m. It wasn't until 3:32 p.m. that the crew raised the flag of Benin, even though Benin had confirmed to France that no oil tanker was registered there. Despite numerous requests from the French Navy, the captain said he was waiting for authorisation from his shipowner to allow them to board. At 4:00 p.m., the naval commandos had finally boarded the vessel, without resistance from the crew of 26. The dangerous maneuver, likely to cause an accident, put the military personnel at risk, the deputy prosecutor stated during the trial. Two Russians were among the crew, both security agents. They were employed by the Russian security company Moran Security Group, and were scheduled to disembark in Suez, the captain's lawyer stated. He requested a "complete and unconditional acquittal" for the Chinese national, reminding everyone that his client was "in international waters." He argued that there had been no refusal to comply with orders. According to him, Chen Zhengjie was "forced to ask for permission from his shipowner" before allowing the French military to board, under penalty of losing his job.
Captain of dark fleet tanker sentenced to prison
The former captain of the 'Phoenix', suspected of being part of the Russian ghost fleet, was sentenced to prison on Monday, February 23, and an arrest warrant has been issued. One year in prison and a €150,000 fine was requested by the Brest court, which is the maximum sentence. Chinese captain Chen Zhangjie, 39, currently at sea, was summoned to court after the ship was released by French authorities on Oct 2.
Trial against captain of dark fleet tanker has commenced
The trial of the Chinese captain of the 'Boracay' (Phoenix), opened on Feb 23 in Brest in his absence. Currently at sea, Chen Zhangjie, 39, was represented before the Brest criminal court by his lawyer, Henri de Richemont. He was accused of refusing to comply when the French navy attempted to inspect his vessel on Sep 27, while it was sailing in international waters off the island of Ushant. The ship was suspected of involvement in the drone overflights that disrupted Danish air traffic in September. Two employees of a Russian private security company, tasked with monitoring the crew and gathering intelligence, were on board the tanker. Aged 34 and 40, these two men, one a former police officer with ties to the notorious Wagner Group, were employed by the Russian private security firm Moran Security Group. The only person prosecuted by the French justice system, Mr. Chen, was facing a potential sentence of one year in prison and a €150,000 fine. His lawyer announced that he would ask the Brest court to declare itself incompetent. According to the lawyer, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, also known as the "Montego Bay Convention," applies in this case. According to the provisions of this convention, the courts of Benin (the flag flown by the 'Boracay' at the time) or China (the nationality of the captain) would have jurisdiction to try Mr. Chen, the lawyer stated. On Feb 23, the ship was anchored near the port of Rizhao.
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