Wife of captain of oil tanker captured by US forces starts legal action to free him

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Morgan Ofori and PA MediaJanuary 26, 2026 at 11:32 PM

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The wife of the captain of the Marinera, a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized by US forces in UK waters, has initiated legal action in Scotland to secure his release. The tanker, previously known as Bella 1, was captured in the waters between Iceland and Scotland earlier this month after allegedly approaching a naval blockade around Venezuela. Lawyers for the wife, Natia Dzadzama, filed a petition for judicial review at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, arguing that her husband, Avtandil Kalandadze, is being unlawfully detained. The petition seeks an emergency order to prevent the removal of the ship and crew from Scottish jurisdiction. A Scottish court has granted an interim order preventing the removal of the captain and crew from its jurisdiction.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Edinburgh 30% UK 40% Moray Firth ×240% Aamer Anwar ×250% Russia ×250% Scotland ×260% Venezuela ×260% United States ×270% Marinera ×570% Natia Dzadzama ×480% Avtandil Kalandadze ×490%

Keywords

oil tanker 90% judicial review 80% legal action 80% us forces 70% unlawful detention 70% vessel capture 60% scottish court 60% sanctioned oil 50% marinera 50% avtandil kalandadze 40%