Orhan Hasanoglu: Azerbaijanis detained in connection with the shipwreck off Kyrenia are not responsible parties

The citizens of Azerbaijan detained as part of the investigation into the shipwreck off the coast of Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus, which killed 8 people, are not responsible parties.

Orhan Hasanoglu, head of the Azerbaijani-Cypriot Friendship Society, told Report's Turkish bureau about this.

He stated that, as part of the investigation being conducted in connection with the accident, investigative materials are being collected regarding the detained Azerbaijani citizens Valeh Humbatov, Rashad Ibrahimov, and Gadir Guliyev.

"The second preliminary court hearing was held today. However, the court is not at the stage of making a decision on the causes of the wreck. Our citizens did not have the authority to make responsible decisions," Hasanoglu emphasized.

He noted that the three Azerbaijani citizens who worked on the vessel were technical personnel: "At the first preliminary court hearing, a preventive measure in the form of a three-day arrest was chosen for them. The decision does not mean that the personnel, including our citizens, have been found guilty. This will become clear in the course of the investigation. Over the past three days, the police have taken testimony from around one hundred people, including those involved in the incident, passengers, as well as port personnel. Today the court held a second preliminary hearing and, due to the insufficiency of the evidence obtained, set the date of the next court hearing for eight days later."

Orhan Hasanoglu stated that the Azerbaijani citizens, risking their own lives, helped others in the situation that had developed:

"There are no materials containing elements of a crime with respect to our citizens. Guided by the principles of humanism, they helped the people who were there and tried to save them. They were not among those who were the first to leave the vessel. While the captain of the vessel and his assistant left the ship and sailed away on boats brought by civilians, our citizens, risking their lives and showing concern for people, tried to provide maximum assistance."

He reported that they are ensuring that the evidence and materials they have collected are presented to the court.

"The lawyers are trying to present to the court as much as possible the video materials, footage, and materials based on passengers' testimony that testify in favor of our citizens. Over the coming eight days, until the day of the next hearing, we will try to gather more materials," Hasanoglu noted.

Let us note that on August 30, a vessel was wrecked off the coast of Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus. According to the latest data, 240 people were rescued as a result of the accident, 8 people died, and the search for 19 passengers continues.