LONDON / HELSINKI, 14 August 2026.
Human Rights at Sea today issues an in-depth independent review of the seafarer criminalisation case of First Officer Ali Albokhari and Captain Marko Bekavac highlighting what is classed as a 'grave miscarriage of justice'.
This case is not a straight-forward issue of crew facilitating drug trafficking. It is a case of transnational organised crime, seafarer criminalisation and unsafe convictions.
Both officers served on the Panama flagged bulk carrier Phoenician M (IMO 9450806) at the material time operating between Colombia and Türkiye in September-October 2023 during which time drugs were located onboard by Colombian authorities, the vessel cleared for transit and subsequently it is alleged that drugs were found in the no 2 hold during discharge operations.
Nonetheless, there are serious failures in the conduct of the investigation, necessary evidence disclosure for the defence, and unexplained criminal network activities in and between Colombia and Turkish ports.
Both seafarers received 30 years but in August 2025, Captain Bekavac was mysteriously removed from his prison cell, handed over to Croatian embassy diplomats and returned to his home state without explanation.
Albokhari remains incarcerated in prison in Türkiye.
Ongoing Mental Torture
At the time of writing, an urgent decision was made to accelerate this publication as its is believed that Ali Albokhari is currently being deliberately mentally tortured with increased daily threats from Turkish prison authorities (state authorities) to send him to Finland as a convicted person to serve his now extended 33-year sentence.
This process is being pursued without Ali's agreement and without allowing due legal process to address the findings or the appeal submitted to state prosecutors against the conviction, which could ultimately exonerate him.
The reported prison authority conduct towards Ali Albokhari fits the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Executive Summary
"The convictions of Chief Officer Ali ALBOKHARI and Captain Marko BEKAVAC raise substantial concerns about whether criminal responsibility was established beyond reasonable doubt. The disclosed record indicates three central weaknesses: missing cross-border evidence, an unverified chain of custody for the alleged Turkish seizure, and reliance on command rank without clear proof of knowledge or participation. These issues warrant urgent disclosure, independent legal review and coordinated diplomatic action."
"The case raises fundamental questions about 1) seafarers’ personal safety and liberty, 2) port State security, 3) conduct of criminal investigations, and 4) the impact of local corruption, infiltration and exploitation of port workers, shipping agents and all elements of the supply chain involved in commercial maritime operations by organised crime networks."
"The case requires the close attention of Interpol, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and the European Court of Human Rights."
Crew Statements
Human Rights at Sea has taken crew statements through in-person interviews in other jurisdictions. These are highlighted in the report with more to follow.
“As per the indictment, the bags were found tied to the stairs, 5 meters from the tank top. Our cargo hold was 20 meters deep, so it means that 15meters deep of coal was already on top of the bags. There was a narcotic-sniffing dog, it wasn’t able to detect the drugs. Given the quantity of coal on top of the bag that was tied in the stairs, it means, most probably, that a stevedore from Columbia placed it there because they were also inside the cargo hold during loading operation for trimming.”
“The police then confiscated our cellphones and passports and separated the officers who were brought to the conference room. When we were taken down the ship by 0500H, we were told that it was only for interview. We waited until late in the afternoon at the narco police station where we were later issued a Warrant of Arrest for cases they filed stating that we are using drugs and drug trafficking. I refused
to sign without the presence of a lawyer. Later in the day, when a lawyer from our P&I Club arrived, he explained that it would be better for us to just sign the warrant. So we did. We were detained; it was October 6.”
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Citation: Human Rights at Sea (HRAS). (2026) A Grave Miscarriage of Justice. The ALBOKHARI / BEKAVAC Case: Transnational organised crime, seafarer criminalisation and unsafe convictions.
ENDS.
Source: Human Rights at Sea 2026.
Photo credit: Elena Albokhari 2026.
Contact: If you have any questions, please write to us at enquiries@hrasi.org.
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