Detention of seized oil tanker's Captain sparks legal action
Aamer Anwar is acting on behalf of the Captain's wife
Last updated 26th Jan 2026
One of Scotland's top lawyers has launched legal action claiming the captain of a seized Russian flagged oil tanker was "unlawfully detained."
The Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, was captured in the North Atlantic as part of a US military option earlier this month.
It's understood the vessel has been anchored in the Moray Firth, close to Burghead, for just under two weeks.
Aamer Anwar claims the wife of the vessel's captain is being prevented from accessing Scottish Courts and says she is reasonably concerned about her husband’s safety and security aboard the ship.
He said: "Today we lodged a petition for Judicial review of the lawfulness of the detention of Captain Avtandil Kalandadze.
"We submit that Natia Dzadzama’s husband Captain, of Georgian nationality was unlawfully detained and held by the US Navy in Scotland since the 7th January 2026, aboard the marine vessel known as the Marinera and formerly known as Bella 1.
"The Captain’s wife is reasonably concerned about her husband’s safety and security aboard the Ship, and today we are seeking the intervention of the Scottish Court of Session in order to protect the legal rights of her husband.
"The Captain is being prevented from accessing Scottish courts and is therefore unable to defend his rights himself under Article 5 and 6 of ECHR."
Mr Anwar also said within his statement the captain and other crew members may have been removed from the vessel after the petition was lodged.
He added: "We understand that following our lodging of a petition for Judicial Review that the Captain and his Deputy may have been removed from the Ship along with 26 other crew members of various nationalities.
"Papers are being served today on the Lord Advocate head of criminal prosecution in Scotland; the Advocate General who acts for the UK Government, Scottish Ministers as well as President Donald J Trump, Commander in Chief of the United States Military.
"The Captain’s wife believes that it cannot be right that in a civilised society to abduct a whole crew in Scotland and with assistance from the UK authorities, remove them without observing our laws.
"Today we seek an emergency order seeking that the authorities act to stop the removal of the Ship, Captain and crew, before a full hearing takes place over the coming days.”
The UK Government, Scottish Government and US Government have been asked for comment.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service confirmed that a petition for judicial review was lodged with the court on Monday afternoon.
Earlier this month, John Swinney outlined he was "deeply concerned" to learn about a seized Venezuelan-linked oil tanker in the Moray Firth from media reports.
However, last week Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said his offer to the First Minister to brief him about the operation was not accepted.
The First Minister then described a letter from Mr Alexander on the issue as 'juvenile,' but said he later received a response from the Prime Minister.