Turkey’s Supreme Court has upheld 30-year prison sentences for Croatian ship captain Marko Bekavac and first officer Ali Albokhari over the smuggling of 137 kg of cocaine discovered aboard the Panama-flagged vessel Phoenician M, maritime industry outlet Seatrade Maritime News reported.
The ruling was adopted by a 3-2 vote, with the two men found guilty on the basis of negligence related to the drug shipment, according to the report.
Bekavac, however, is currently not in custody. Turkish authorities released him from prison in August last year, Croatian media reported.
Croatian daily Jutarnji List, citing unofficial information, said Bekavac’s lawyer had indications in court documents that a final ruling could be imminent. The report added that the decision could restrict Bekavac’s movements and potentially prevent him from leaving Croatia.
Legal experts cited by the newspaper said that if Turkey were to issue a red notice through Interpol, Bekavac could face arrest when crossing international borders.
The wife of first officer Albokhari, who has remained in prison since his arrest, said the case against her husband remains unclear.
“I would like someone to explain what my husband is accused of and what he is supposedly guilty of,” Elena Albokhari told local media. “Even now, the documents do not explain what his fault is.”
Bekavac was arrested in October 2023 after Turkish authorities discovered 137 kg of cocaine aboard the Phoenician M in the port of Eregli. A Turkish court sentenced him to 30 years in prison in September 2024.
His release in 2025 followed what Croatian officials described as “quiet diplomacy”, involving the government, justice ministry and foreign ministry. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman had raised the case with Turkish officials in search of a resolution.