09.09.2009
Source:
Kutaisi Appeal Court freed the captain of Turkish tanker Buket, who was adjudged to 24-year prison term for violation of entry rules at "occupied territory" on August, 31, as was said to RIA Novosti by official from the court's press-service.
The measure of punishment for Turkish citizen Mehmet Joshkun Ozturk was changed to conditional sentence for three-year term and 30 000 lari penalty ($18 000). In such a manner the court approved the procedural contract between the captain and procuracy.
Panama-flag tanker
Buket, sailed from Turkey to Abkhazia with 2 000 t of gasoline and 700 t of diesel fuel, was arrested by Georgian border guard in Black Sea in August. Four out of 17 crew members were citizens of Azerbaijan, the rest were Turkish.
The court transferred the vessel into government's ownership. Sixteen out of 17 crew members of
Buket were freed after payment of 3 000 lari each ($1 800).
Georgia says that the vessel was arrested in its territorial waters. As for representative of Turkish ship owner company
Densa Tanker Isletmeciligi, the tanker
Buket was apprehended in neutral waters in 96 miles from Turkish port
Sinop.
Moscow demands from Tbilisi to stop seizure of vessels in neutral waters, the Russian MFA said after incident.
