The captain of a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized by US military forces earlier this month has taken legal action against former President Donald Trump in the Scottish courts. The legal case, which is being pursued by the detained captain’s wife, aims to challenge the lawfulness of her husband’s detention after the vessel was intercepted in the Atlantic Ocean.
On January 7, the US Navy seized the Marinera (formerly known as Bella-1), accusing the vessel of breaching US sanctions by transporting oil for Venezuela, Russia, and Iran. The UK military assisted the operation with air surveillance and a navy ship, while the tanker has since been held in the Moray Firth off the coast of Burghead, Scotland.
Captain Avtandil Kalandadze, a Georgian national, was reportedly detained on the ship along with other crew members, and his wife, Natia Dzadzama, has since filed a petition for judicial review in the Court of Session in Edinburgh. The legal challenge contends that her husband was unlawfully detained by the US Navy in Scotland, where he has remained since January 7, 2026.
Legal Proceedings and International Tensions
The case has drawn attention to the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the ship’s seizure. The White House maintains that the Marinera was “deemed stateless” after it was found to be flying a false flag. However, Russia has argued that the tanker was granted temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag on Christmas Eve, thereby claiming that the seizure violates international law. Moscow has insisted that no state has the right to use force against vessels registered in other countries.
As part of the legal proceedings, papers have been served on the UK authorities and former President Trump, who is named in his capacity as Commander in Chief of the US military. Aamer Anwar, the solicitor representing Kalandadze’s wife, emphasized that the captain has been unable to access Scottish courts to defend his rights, further complicating the legal dispute.
Authorities are said to have removed the captain and his deputy from the vessel along with 26 other crew members. The US has indicated that the tanker will face a judicial forfeiture process once it arrives in the United States. Meanwhile, UK officials claim that the seizure of the vessel was lawful under international sanctions enforcement.
In light of the legal action, the petitioners are now seeking an emergency order to prevent the removal of the ship, its captain, and the crew, pending a full hearing in the coming days. This case not only highlights the complex intersection of international law and the enforcement of sanctions but also raises questions about the legal rights of foreign nationals detained in the UK during such high-profile operations.
