The United States seized a tanker in the North Atlantic on 7 January and escorted it to Scotland’s Moray coast, stating it intends to prosecute the Georgian captain and first officer. Two crew members remain in US custody and will be brought to the United States to face prosecution, while the remaining 26 crew members disembarked and are being repatriated under UK immigration and legal procedures. A Scottish court rejected a request to stop the Georgian captain’s removal from Scottish jurisdiction, citing the 1978 State Immunity Act, and US and UK officials said they are coordinating on the status of the crew and the final disposition of the ship. The United States later indicted the Georgian captain on two federal charges related to falsely flying a flag and failing to obey a Coast Guard order, following a weekslong chase and seizure near the United Kingdom. The US said the vessel was interdicted in international waters and moved into UK waters for safety reasons, the UK government backed the seizure as lawful action against sanctions breaches, and the Russian government denounced the seizure and called for proper treatment and return of Russian nationals.