The detention period for 9 people, including 3 Azerbaijani citizens, has been extended by another 7 days as part of the investigation launched into the shipwreck that resulted in the death of 8 people off the coast of Girne, Northern Cyprus.
Orxan Həsənoğlu, chairman of the Azerbaijan-Cyprus Friendship Society, informed “Elchi” about this.
Thus, the next court hearing was held within the framework of the investigation conducted in Northern Cyprus regarding the sinking of the ship.
O.Həsənoğlu stated that no separate charges were brought against the crew members who are Azerbaijani citizens working on the ship – Rəşad İbrahimov, Qədir Quliyev, and Valeh Hümbətov – at the court hearing held today. According to him, the investigation regarding the detained persons is being conducted on charges of “causing death by negligence and carelessness”:
“Azerbaijani citizens should be questioned not as suspects, but as the closest witnesses to the tragedy that occurred. It should be taken into account that they did not have primary authority in making decisions regarding the operation of the ship, its technical condition, and its seaworthiness.”
O.Həsənoğlu noted that, unlike other responsible persons, the crew members who are Azerbaijani citizens left the ship only at the final stage, risking their own lives to help the passengers:
“As I have already emphasized, they should be questioned as the closest witnesses to the tragedy, not as suspects. We believe that their behavior during the incident and their attempts to help the passengers should be comprehensively evaluated during the investigation.”
The society chairman added that the investigation team conducting the inquiry into the shipwreck has taken nearly 300 statements since the day the incident occurred.
O.Həsənoğlu stated that all possibilities will be utilized to protect the rights of the crew members who are Azerbaijani citizens.