Goa, Aug. 21 -- The wife of Indian merchant navy captain Ajay Pant, who is being held in Britain over alleged violations of sanctions on Russian oil, has reportedly said her husband has been made a "scapegoat". His arrest has also raised questions about how Western sanctions laws are being applied to seafarers working aboard vessels allegedly linked to Russia's so-called shadow fleet.

Pant, 38, is a resident of Ramnagar in Uttarakhand's Nainital district. He was arrested in June after British authorities intercepted the oil tanker Smyrtos, which he was captaining, in the English Channel.

British authorities have charged Pant with sanctions-related offences. If convicted, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. His trial is ...