Additional detention order for nine suspects in Filo Jet ship disaster investigation

Nine suspects who were detained in the investigation into the Fleet Jet ship disaster that occurred on 30 August off the coast of Kyrenia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, were brought before the Kyrenia District Court for the third time.

The court decided to keep the nine suspects in custody for seven more days.

Deputy Police Inspector Mehmet Mannaş announced the latest situation in the investigation.

Mannash gave information to the court about the current stage of the investigation and announced that 295 statements have been taken so far. Stating that the police have other statements that need to be taken, Mannaş noted that the investigation continues.

Mannas also informed the court that there were detention orders for five people within the scope of the investigation and that these people were wanted.

It was stated that digital materials belonging to the suspects were also examined within the scope of the investigation.

It was stated in the court that the phone belonging to one of the suspects was taken as evidence, and the documents and computer belonging to one of the suspects were also sent for examination.

It was noted that investigations on digital materials continue.

Deputy Police Inspector Mannaş announced that the video recording sent by one of the still missing passengers to his family during the incident was also included in the investigation file.

Stating that the ship's slipway was seen to be broken in the video in question, Mannaş stated that the video recording was sent to the court for expert examination.

The findings of the autopsies of six people removed from the shipwreck by TCG ALEMDAR of the Turkish Naval Forces were also presented in the court.

It was stated that signs of trauma and drowning were detected in the autopsies.

It was reported to the court that DNA samples were taken from 11 people within the scope of the investigation, three people tested and the results came out on September 6.

It was noted that samples were taken from the injured and the results were provided.

Documents regarding the voyage and technical proficiency of the ship were also discussed in court.

It was stated that the relevant certificates for the ship were available and procedures regarding the transit performance of the ship were carried out before granting the line permit. It was reported to the court that documents regarding the examination of the ship were received from the Ports Department and had them translated.

It was noted that the crew's certificates were also provided, and some certificates from Türkiye are awaited.

According to the information provided to the court, it was stated that there is no record of the ship being decommissioned after 2024.

It was also reported to the court that the ship made more than 320 trips to Turkey.

Examinations regarding the technical condition of the ship were also included in the court.

The matter was conveyed to the court that there was a water tightness requirement in the survey agreements and that water entry into the ship was against the sealing clause.

It was stated that the damages incurred on the ship were also examined within the scope of the investigation.

The issue of captain's license was also brought up in court.

It was stated that there is no definitive answer regarding the captain's license yet, and information on this issue is awaited from the team in Türkiye.

Information regarding the statements made by the suspects within the scope of the investigation was also shared in court.

It was stated that Captain Mustafa Öz did not make any statements, and the statements made by the first officer Merve N. Sercan helped to shed light on the incident.

It was reported to the court that company manager Ali Özdüşler did not make a statement regarding the incident.