France, April 16 -- The vessel, named the Deyna, departed Marseille after its owner paid a fine and admitted to failing to provide proof of the vessel's nationality, the maritime prefecture and prosecutors said on Thursday.

The undisclosed fine was settled on Wednesday and the tanker promptly left French waters, they said. Tracking data on Thursday showed it in the Mediterranean, with China listed as its destination.

The Deyna, sailing from north-west Russia under a Mozambican flag, was intercepted in the Mediterranean on 20 March. The French navy seized it with assistance from the UK on suspicion of flying a false flag.

The case highlights how European governments are stepping up scrutiny of shipping practices linked to Russia's ...