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Shock at Coral Sea verdict

18 July 2008

The ITF today described the verdict in Greece against Captain Laptalo of the Coral Sea as unexpected and impossible to reconcile with all the evidence heard in court which pointed to his innocence.

ITF General Secretary David Cockroft said: “This is not a proud day for Greek justice. There is more than a whiff of scapegoating about this verdict, which will take anyone who has followed the case by surprise. Despite the lack of any evidence linking the Captain to the drugs discovered hidden on the Coral Sea he has been sentenced to 14 years for no better reason than conjecture and guilt by association. Everyone involved will be saddened that it will now take more time in custody and a legal appeal to establish his innocence.”

Predrag Brazzoduro, ITF coordinator for Croatia, who was at the trial, added: “This is astonishing news. The court has sentenced a 59 year old man to spend most of the rest of his life in jail solely on the basis that he was the captain, so must be guilty.”

ENDS

For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk

International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org

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