Ken Banks,North east Scotland reporterand
Ben Philip
BBCA US Coast Guard ship involved the seizure operation of a Russian flagged oil tanker is now berthed in Aberdeen.
The US accused the Marinera of breaking its sanctions by carrying oil for Venezuela, Russia and Iran.
The ship, previously known as Bella 1, was boarded while south of Iceland last week in an operation supported by British armed forces.
It has since been sitting in the Moray Firth, with a US Coast Guard ship and tugs next to it. The Coast Guard vessel was seen in Aberdeen’s South Harbour on Friday.
The White House has been asked for comment.
At the time, Moscow denounced the seizure of the tanker and demanded that the US treat Russians aboard properly and allowed them to return to Russia quickly.
The transport ministry said it had given the vessel “temporary permission” to use the Russian flag, adding that no state had the right to use force against vessels properly registered in other states’ jurisdictions.
ReutersEarlier this week, Scotland’s first minister said he was “deeply concerned” to learn from media reports that the tanker seized by the US was in the Moray Firth.
John Swinney said he would have expected to have been told in advance about steps to accommodate the ship in the firth.
The UK government said on Tuesday that it had entered UK waters to take on fresh supplies.

It is understood US military aircraft landed at small civilian airports in Wick, Caithness, and Benbecula in the Western Isles during the operation on 7 January.
The MoD did confirm at the time that the Royal Navy tanker RFA Tideforce and RAF surveillance aircraft were supporting American personnel.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said “deterring, disrupting and degrading” Russia’s “shadow fleet” was a priority.
It is understood US military aircraft landed at small civilian airports in Wick, Caithness, and Benbecula in the Western Isles during the operation on 7 January.
The Marinera has been in the firth off Burghead, a village on the Moray coast.
The Moray Firth is a sheltered area of sea between the east Highland coast and the coasts of Moray and Aberdeenshire.
BBC News
