Lebanese court lifted the arrest of a vessel transporting stolen Ukrainian grain

The court in Tripoli lifted the arrest of the Syrian ship Laodecia, which is transporting Ukrainian agricultural products stolen by Russian forces. The ship was allowed to leave the port, reports Lebanese media Anahar.

The arrest was lifted in accordance with "Lebanese legal principles based on sovereignty over our land and sea." On Tuesday morning, the ship left the port of Tripoli and headed for Syria.

Reaction of Ukraine

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry is disappointed with the decision of the Lebanese court. The department says that the court did not take into account the evidence and the position of the competent authorities of Ukraine.

"This decision encourages Russia to continue thefts in the temporarily occupied south of Ukraine with a sense of impunity. In addition, with such a decision, Lebanon is undermining its food security, pushing Ukraine away as its reliable partner," the Ministry said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded that Ukraine was making efforts to support Lebanon's food security. Last year, Ukraine delivered the most agricultural products. And after the opening of Ukrainian ports, the first ship with the grain is headed to Lebanon. In addition, Ukraine offered Lebanon to buy back at a discounted price the grain and flour stolen from Ukraine and delivered by detained ship.

The Ministry called for the cancellation of the decision to lift the arrest of the Laodecia vessel.

Background

The ship's arrival at the port of Tripoli was reported in late July. Ukrainian diplomats immediately appealed to the authorities of Lebanon: Ambassador of Ukraine Ihor Ostash informed his colleague that the ship was loaded in the port of Feodosia with barley exported from the occupied territories.

Ostash explained that to confirm that this is Ukrainian grain, it is necessary to carry out an examination, which requires a court decision and the seizure of the vessel. The Prosecutor General of Lebanon, Hassan Weidat, confirmed that the ship was under arrest pending an examination. A few days later, the Embassy of Ukraine in Lebanon also confirmed that the flour and barley transported by the ship were stolen from Ukraine.