Ali Albokhari is a Finnish citizen and professional seafarer who is currently imprisoned in Turkey and facing a 30-year prison sentence in connection with the Phoenician-M case.

Ali served as Chief Officer on board the cargo vessel Phoenician-M. In 2023 narcotics were discovered on the vessel. Despite the absence of direct evidence linking Ali personally to the drugs, he was prosecuted together with the captain of the ship.

What makes this situation deeply troubling is that the Croatian captain of the same vessel has already returned home to Croatia, while Ali Albokhari remains imprisoned and faces decades in prison. Both men served on the same ship and were involved in the same situation, yet they were treated very differently.

Even within the Turkish judicial process serious doubts were raised about the verdict. Two judges issued dissenting opinions stating that there had been no proper investigation and that the evidence against the crew members was insufficient. In addition, the prosecutor of the Supreme Court had previously opposed the sentence.

Ali has already spent several years in prison while the case has been ongoing. His family is deeply concerned about both the fairness of the legal process and his physical and psychological well-being.

This case also raises wider concerns about the criminalisation of seafarers, where crew members may face severe punishment without clear proof of personal involvement in criminal activity.

We call on:

the Government of Finland
European institutions
maritime organisations
international human rights groups
to urgently examine the case of Ali Albokhari and ensure that justice, transparency, and fair treatment are upheld.

No seafarer should face decades in prison without clear evidence of personal involvement in a crime.

We ask for international attention and a fair review of this case.

Justice must be equal for all!