Israel turns away ship carrying stolen Ukrainian grain: Officials react
File photo: Israel refused to accept a ship carrying stolen grain (Getty Images)
The PANORMITIS, a ship carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, will not unload its cargo in Israel, which is a positive step. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the legal and diplomatic measures taken by Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko.
"This is also a clear signal to all other vessels, captains, operators, insurers, and governments: do not buy stolen Ukrainian grain. Do not become part of this crime," the Minister says.
He adds that Ukraine continues to monitor the PANORMITIS and warns everyone against any transactions involving it. Furthermore, international sanctions against Russia's shadow grain fleet will continue to be strengthened.
"Another attempt by the Russian side to legalize grain illegally exported from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine has been thwarted," Kravchenko notes.
The Prosecutor General notes that PANORMITIS left Israeli territorial waters and moved into neutral waters after Kyiv took a series of procedural measures.
"Such behavior may indicate an awareness of the risk of measures being applied to the vessel and cargo to secure criminal proceedings, in particular seizure," he emphasizes.
Documentation of offense at international level
Kravchenko notes that Israel has begun executing the request based on materials provided by Ukraine within the framework of international legal cooperation.
"Therefore, the further movement of the vessel, the cargo, and the actions of persons involved in this scheme will remain subject to legal action in any jurisdiction that recognizes the rule of law and respects Ukraine’s sovereignty," he says.
The Prosecutor General adds that the vessel’s departure into neutral waters does not terminate the criminal proceedings and does not exempt the persons involved from liability.
A diplomatic row has erupted between Ukraine and Israel over allegations that Israel purchased grain stolen from the temporarily occupied territories. This prompted a sharp reaction from Kyiv and led to an exchange of statements between the two countries' Foreign Ministries.
Ukraine sent Israel an official request for international legal assistance regarding the vessel PANORMITIS, which, according to the investigation, may have been transporting stolen Ukrainian grain.
