Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register ATHENS, June 8 (Reuters) – A Greek court overturned a previous court ruling on Wednesday that allowed the United States to seize part of an Iranian-loaded oil tanker off the Greek coast, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The incident had led to an angry response from Iran, with Iranian forces occupying two Greek tankers in the Gulf last month, after Tehran warned it would take “punitive measures” against Athens. read more Iran also appealed against the original ruling, said a legal source, who declined to be named. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register “The appeal for reversal of the decision was accepted by the court,” the source said. “It will be difficult to annul this (the decision of the appellate court).” It was not immediately clear whether the US or Greek governments would challenge the decision, which was given to the Court of Appeal of the Chalkida region. The outcome of the appeal has not yet been made public. Greece had described as “piracy” the seizure of two Greek tankers in the Gulf by Iran. The case arose when Greek authorities in April seized the Iranian-flagged Lana, formerly Pegasus, with 19 Russian crew members off the coast of the southern island of Evia due to European Union sanctions. The ship was soon released due to complications regarding its ownership. The United States seized part of the Iranian cargo of oil aboard the ship in May and transferred it to another ship, following an initial ruling by a Greek court. In a separate case, Greek authorities later recaptured Lana, acting on a temporary court order for alleged debts to another shipping company, represented by lawyer George Kozanidis. Kozanidis declined to reveal the name of the company he represents, but told Reuters that the case involved unpaid towing services. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Reportage by Lefteris Papadima, Rene Maltezou in Athens and Jonathan Saul in London. curated by Richard Pullin Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
