“The Azerbaijani citizens detained as part of the investigation launched into the shipwreck off the coast of Girne, Northern Cyprus, which resulted in the deaths of 8 people, are not responsible parties.”
Sea-news.az reports citing Report, that this was stated by Orkhan Hasanoglu, head of the Azerbaijan-Cyprus Friendship Society.
He noted that investigative materials are being compiled regarding the detained Azerbaijani citizens—Valeh Humbatov, Rashad Ibrahimov, and Gadir Guliyev: “Today, the second preliminary court hearing was held. However, the court is not yet at the stage of delivering a verdict regarding the occurrence of the accident. Our citizens did not possess high-level authority to make decisions concerning whether or not this accident would happen.”
He noted that the three Azerbaijani citizens working on the vessel were technical personnel: “At the first preliminary hearing of the court, a three-day pre-trial detention measure was chosen for them. This decision does not mean that the crew, including our citizens, are guilty. This will become clear during the investigative process. Over the past three days, the police have taken statements from nearly a hundred people, including participants in the incident, passengers, and port personnel.
Today, the court held its second preliminary session and, due to insufficient evidence gathered, scheduled the date of the next court hearing for eight days later.”
Orkhan Hasanoglu stated that the Azerbaijani citizens risked their lives to help others during the severe accident: “There are no criminal elements or materials against our citizens. They assisted people and tried to rescue them entirely guided by principles of humanism. They were not among the first to abandon the ship. While the ship’s captain and assistant abandoned the vessel and fled on boats brought by civilians, our citizens risked their lives, showed care for the people, and tried to help to the maximum extent.”
He stated that they are ensuring the submission of collected evidence and materials to this effect to the court: “The lawyers there are working to submit video footage, recordings, and materials based on passengers’ testimonies that are in favor of our citizens to the court to the maximum extent possible. We will try to gather maximum materials before the next hearing date.”
For context, a vessel met with an accident off the coast of Girne in Northern Cyprus on August 30. According to the latest reports, 240 people have been rescued, 8 people have died, and search-and-rescue operations continue for 19 passengers.
