Libyan Coast Guard on Wednesday intercepted a Russian oil smuggling tanker off the western coast of Libya, Jamal Zubia, the Head of Foreign Media Department has declared.

The oil tanker, flying the Russian flag, was about to smuggle 5 million of diesel when Coast Guard forces intercept it 14 miles off Zuwara shores. 11 Russian sailors including a woman were arrested onboard the tanker, which carries official Russian registration documents.

Zubia added that the Italian and Russian navy ships tried to intervene and release the tanker but they failed.

The tanker has been dragged to Tripoli Naval Base for investigations. 

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