Libya: Russian vessel, 11 crew members impounded by self-declared Libyan govt

A Russian-flagged ship was captured by forces allied with the self-declared government in Tripoli, Wednesday, with 11 of its Russian crew members detained. The Russian tanker, Mekhanik Chebotarev, was captured in Zawara by forces from Libya Dawn and taken to a naval base in Tripoli. A senior official from the militant group allied with Libya Dawn accused the vessel of being used to smuggle oil from the port of Zawara. There was no immediate comment from the internationally recognised government of Libya, which is now based out of the east of the country after forces from Libya Dawn took over Tripoli last year and installed a self-declared government.