My husband, the first chief officer of Phoenician-M vessel, the Finnish citizen, along with eight others was arrested in October 2023 and was held in captivity in Turkey under questionable circumstances for about one year. In September 2024 Captain Marko Becavac and my husband,the first officer Ali Albokhari, were sentenced without any clear evidence, where the supposed illicit substances were never shown to the crew. Furthermore, they have been singled out with severe sentences of 30 years, leaving us to question the motive behind the imprisonment of only ten out of the entire crew. The crew was arrested without showing them what had been found on the vessel, it's total violation of all laws. On what basis only these 10 men were arrested? No finger prints of anyone of the crew members were found, nothing at all. Both captain and chief officer have been working a lot of years as seafarers and never had any problems with law, they have only excellent reviews.

The facts:

None of the crew members saw or were shown drugs in Turkey.

The drug was found buried deep under a ton of coal, making it impossible for the dogs to sniff it out.

The drug allegedly found in Turkey bears numerous fingerprints, but none are linked to anyone of the crew.

My husband  was convicted on the basis of "command responsibility", although according to Turkish law this responsibility does not apply without proven intent - which was not proven.

Where is the investigation? Who was the final receiver of the drugs? This question was left without the answer. 

It is essential to note that it is an internationally recognized principle that parties are innocent until proven guilty. However, in this case, our loved ones were convicted without being given an opportunity to put forth their defense adequately or see the alleged evidence.

 

It is crucial that individuals' rights to a fair trial are upheld, regardless of where they stand in the face of the law. The lack of evidence and selective detention in this case certainly puts the fairness of the trial in doubt.

The International Maritime Organisation reports an increasing trend of seafarers' rights violations in recent years (source: International Maritime Organisation reports). This case is no different. We need the global community to come together to uphold the rights of those men and women who brave the seas, keeping world trade flowing.

Per our right to a fair trial under Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we demand transparent investigation of this disturbing incident and immediate release of the crew. With every moment that passes, these innocent sailors remain unjustly confined, away from their homes and loved ones.

Living every day in uncertainty and despair, we plea for your help. By signing this petition, you are not just supporting a wife yearning for her husband's safe return but every family facing a similar plight. Let's take a stand against these unlawful arrests and call for immediate actions from the relevant global and Turkish authorities. Please, sign this petition. Let your voice be heard. Demand the release of the Phoenician-M vesssel's first chief officer, now!