Turkish authorities unexpectedly released Croatian Captain Marko Bekavac on August 8, nearly two years after his arrest for drug trafficking. Bekavac, who had been sentenced to 30 years in prison for cocaine found aboard the bulker he commanded, attributed his release to persistent diplomatic efforts by the Croatian government. His first officer, Ali Albokhari, remains incarcerated, also facing a 30-year sentence pending appeal.
The case began in October 2021 when the Panama-flagged bulker Phoenician M arrived at Turkey’s Eregli port from Barranquilla, Colombia. During a search, authorities discovered 137 kg of cocaine hidden in the cargo, leading to the arrest of Bekavac, Albokhari, and eight other crew members, who were later acquitted. Bekavac had previously reported security concerns regarding the ship while in Colombia, where a small amount of cocaine was found before departure.
Despite his claims of innocence, Turkish authorities held him responsible as the ship’s master. His family campaigned for his release, engaging with high-level officials and filing an appeal that was still pending with the Turkish Supreme Court. Advocates have highlighted Bekavac’s case as indicative of the broader issue of seafarers facing criminal charges without sufficient evidence.
