Malinovsky district court of Odessa was found guilty of the captain of the ship “Sky Moon” (flag of Tanzania) in travel beyond the control of the Ukrainian customs (Crimea), more than 3 thousand tons of technical soda.

As reported in the press service of the military Prosecutor of the southern region of Ukraine, in the framework of the consideration of the relevant administrative Protocol on violation of customs rules, the court decided to confiscate the state income contraband, namely, a shipment of soda cost almost 18,5 million UAH, and also the ship itself as a vehicle that was used to commit the offense. The value of the confiscated vessel is not given.

The press service noted that this is the biggest consignment seized for violations of customs rules in Ukraine’s history.

“For the first time in the history of Ukraine, the court decided on the confiscation of a sea vessel,” added the press service.

Also the military Prosecutor’s office intends to prosecute the ship’s captain, one of the founders of the company-cargo owner – the citizen of Moldova and, possibly, a representative of the shipowner is a citizen of Romania.

In addition, the results of the investigation, military prosecutors intend to officially inform the authorities of the Czech Republic on the violation registered in its territory a legal entity of the EU sanctions in respect of prohibition of trading with temporarily occupied territory of Crimea.

As reported, the investigation found that the captain of the ship “Sky Moon”, acting by prior agreement with the representative of the shipowner, shippers and receivers of goods within 2016 8 times ensured the visits of a sea vessel in the closed Crimean ports Kerch, Theodosia and Sevastopol.

Knowing about the temporary closure to navigation of the sea ports in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and the international community’s adoption of sanctions against the Russian Federation in connection with the occupation of the territory of Crimea, in violation of international law and the laws of Ukraine, the captain moved to Turkey and Moldova scrap, ash, and soda, flax seeds.

According to the facts investigated criminal proceedings under part 2 of article 332-1 (violation of the order of entry in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and departure from it) and part 1 St. 366 (forgery) of the criminal code of Ukraine.

The representative of the shipowner in December 2016, tried to bribe the military Prosecutor to address the issue of criminal proceedings.

As reported, on November 30, 2016 representatives of the State border service of Ukraine detained the cargo ship “Sky Moon” (flag of Tanzania), illegally entering the ports of Crimea annexed by Russia. On the ship there were nine people – the captain and eight crew members. At that time, the ship was carrying more than 3 thousand tons of soda ash.