Filo Jet Probe: Nine Suspects Remanded for Another Seven Days

Company director A.Ö., captain M.Ö., second captain M.S., chief engineer Z.Ö., second engineer M.G. and crew members S.E., K.K., V.H. and R.İ. were brought before the Kyrenia District Court again today.

The nine suspects are facing charges of “causing death through negligence and carelessness”.

Police told the court that the investigation was continuing. During the initial eight-day detention period, computers belonging to the company director and the second captain’s mobile phone were seized.

Police said the relatives of the 14 people still missing had been contacted and DNA samples had been collected. They also said the families had handed over video footage recorded by a passenger who remains missing shortly before the disaster.

The footage was found to show damage to the vessel, police said.

Police also informed the court that five other people were still being sought as part of the investigation.

Survey Information Awaited From Türk Loydu

Police said they were still awaiting information requested from Türk Loydu regarding the vessel’s survey.

They said information on the crew’s certificates of competency had also not yet been received from the relevant administration. The existing certificates will be compared with those issued in Turkey, police added.

Police further said the ballast certificate and radio safety certificate, which were reportedly not found on board, were not among the mandatory documents required for the vessel.

Based on the investigation so far, the vessel’s documentation could be considered complete, police said.

Police: Vessel Was Permitted to Sail Under TRNC Law

Defence counsel asked police whether the vessel was legally permitted to sail under TRNC legislation.

“According to our current investigation, yes,” police replied.

The defence noted that Türk Loydu is one of the eight classification societies in Turkey and operates internationally. The lawyer argued that the vessel had undergone an internationally recognised classification survey and was legally permitted to sail under TRNC law.

Police confirmed this assessment.

The defence also pointed out that the vessel had previously completed 385 voyages on the same route.

Defence: Video Does Not Prove Cause of Sinking

Defence counsel argued that the vessel could have taken on water due to the pressure caused by waves striking it with considerable force.

Citing expert opinions, the defence maintained that the amount of water entering the vessel would have had to reach a level sufficient to fill the passenger lounge for the vessel to sink.

It therefore argued that the video recorded shortly before the disaster, showing damage to the vessel, did not by itself prove the cause of the sinking.

Second Captain’s Lawyer: ‘He Should Be a Witness, Not a Suspect’

The lawyer representing second captain M.S. argued that his client should be treated as a witness rather than a suspect.

The lawyer said M.S. had fulfilled all his duties during the incident.

Following the submissions, the Kyrenia District Court ordered all nine suspects to remain in custody for another seven days.