Putin’s shadow fleet sailors can claim asylum if Britain seizes their ships in the English Channel, ministers fear

Putin’s shadow fleet sailors may be able to claim asylum if Britain seizes their ships in the English Channel, ministers have warned. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood are understood to have raised concerns to this effect, according to The Telegraph. It is feared apprehending the Russian tankers could allow sailors brought ashore by British forces to make use of the UK asylum system, according to Whitehall sources. Many of the seamen onboard are mercenaries hired by the Kremlin who could argue they were at risk of persecution if they returned to Russia or their home country….