Greek court overturns decision on U.S. seizure of Iranian oil cargo – sources

The seized oil tanker Pegas is seen anchored off the shore of Karystos, on the Island of Evia, Greece, April 19, 2022. REUTERS/Vassilis Triandafyllou/File Photograph/File Photograph

ATHENS, June 8 (Reuters) – A Greek court docket on Wednesday overturned an earlier court docket ruling that allowed the confiscation by america of a part of a cargo of Iranian oil on an Iranian-flagged tanker off the Greek coast, three sources acquainted with the matter mentioned.

The incident had led to an offended response by Iran, with Iranian forces final month seizing two Greek tankers within the Gulf after Tehran warned it will take “punitive motion” towards Athens. learn extra

Iran had additionally appealed the unique court docket resolution, one authorized supply mentioned, declining to be named.

“The motion for the reversal of the ruling was accepted by the court docket,” the supply mentioned. “It will likely be exhausting to overrule that (the enchantment court docket’s ruling).”

It was not instantly clear if the U.S. or Greek governments would problem the ruling, which was given within the Appeals court docket of the area of Chalkis.

The results of the enchantment has not but been made public.

Greece had referred to as Iran’s seizure of the 2 Greek tankers within the Gulf “piracy”.

The case arose when Greek authorities in April impounded the Iranian-flagged Lana, previously Pegas, with 19 Russian crew members on board, close to the coast of the southern island of Evia on account of European Union sanctions.

The ship was quickly launched on account of problems relating to its possession. The USA in Could confiscated a part of the Iranian oil cargo held onboard and transferred it to a different ship, following the preliminary Greek court docket ruling.

In a separate case, Greek authorities later seized Lana once more, appearing on an interim court docket order over alleged money owed to a different transport firm, represented by lawyer George Kozanidis.

Kozanidis declined to reveal the title of the corporate he represents however informed Reuters that the case is said to unpaid towing providers.

Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas, Renee Maltezou in Athens and Jonathan Saul in London; enhancing by Richard Pullin

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