Turkish Authorities Arrest Ukrainian Crew Ship

Turkish authorities have detained a ship with a Ukrainian crew on suspicion of drug trafficking. The captain and his three assistants have been arrested. This was announced on Thursday, July 15, by Foreign Minister Oleg Nikolenko.

According to Ukrinform, he stated that on July 10, Turkish law enforcement intercepted the MSC CAPUCINE R vessel flying the flag of Liberia at the port of Iskenderun. The crew consists of 24 Ukrainians and one foreign national.

“The next day, the Iskenderun city prosecutor's office arrested the ship's captain and his three assistants. All are citizens of Ukraine. They have been charged with drug trafficking,” Nikolenko said.

The Ukrainian embassy in Turkey is providing consular assistance to the detainees; our citizens are being provided with a lawyer and a translator, while consuls maintain contact with their relatives. Additionally, the Ukrainian diplomatic agency has requested access to the investigation materials from the Turkish side and has asked to visit the Ukrainian sailors.

It is known that the remaining crew members are currently aboard the ship. They are participating in the investigation as witnesses.