Detention of three Azerbaijani citizens extended in North Cyprus shipwreck case

A court in North Cyprus has extended by another seven days the detention of nine people, including three Azerbaijani citizens, who were detained as part of an investigation into a shipwreck off the coast of Girne.

Orkhan Hasanoglu, chairman of the Azerbaijan–Cyprus Friendship Society, told Report.

According to him, no separate charges were brought against the Azerbaijani crew members - Rashad Ibrahimov, Gadir Guliyev and Valeh Humbatov - during the latest court hearing.

The detainees are being investigated in connection with a case involving death caused by negligence.

"Azerbaijani citizens should be questioned not as suspects, but as direct witnesses to the tragedy. It should be taken into account that they did not have the primary authority to make decisions concerning the operation of the vessel, its technical condition or its seaworthiness," Hasanoglu said.

According to him, unlike other responsible parties, the Azerbaijani crew members left the vessel at the final stage and risked their lives to help passengers.

"Their conduct during the incident and their efforts to help passengers should be thoroughly assessed as part of the investigation," he stressed.

Hasanoglu also said that the police investigation team had taken around 300 statements since the tragedy.

He assured that every available avenue would be pursued to protect the rights of the detained Azerbaijani citizens.

The accident occurred on Sunday, August 30. The high-speed passenger vessel Filo Jet was operating a route between the port of Girne in North Cyprus and Mersin, Türkiye.

Shortly after leaving the port, the vessel began taking on water in the bow. The crew attempted to return to port, but Filo Jet capsized and sank en route.