France, March 30 -- Chen Zhangjie, 39, was sentenced in absentia on Monday after failing to comply with French naval orders to stop his vessel, the Boracay, during an incident in September.

The court in the western city of Brest also imposed a fine of €150,000, underlining the seriousness with which authorities are treating alleged sanctions evasion.

The Boracay was intercepted by the French navy before being boarded and inspected. It was later released along with its crew, prompting a sharp reaction from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who described the operation as "piracy".

Despite the diplomatic tension, the ruling signals a firm stance from French authorities as scrutiny intensifies around maritime activities linked to Mos...