Russian oil tanker arrested by Georgian authorities

The Russian oil tanker Samara City is reported to have been arrested by the Georgian coast guards off the coast of Adzharia last Sunday. The Georgian authorities demand that the captain pay a $28,000 fee for violating navigation regulations. The regulations were allegedly violated when the vessel launched its boat in the restricted area. The fee is to be paid within a month otherwise the vessel will be confiscated by the authorities.

15 crew members stay on board the vessel. They are not under arrest and free to come ashore in the port of Batumi if they want to. The Samara City is presently lying at outer roads of the above port. The Russian party has the right to file an appeal against the actions of the Georgian coast guards to the Batumi city court.