Migrant crisis: Captain appears in Italian court
The alleged captain of a sunken migrant ship, which killed more than 800, has appeared in an Italian court. It comes as the EU has agreed to treble its funding to tackle the on-going crisis.
The alleged captain of a sunken migrant ship, which killed more than 800, has appeared in an Italian court. It comes as the EU has agreed to treble its funding to tackle the on-going crisis.
The suspected captain of this weekend's sunken migrant ship has been pictured in the dock ahead of his court appearance in the Italian port of Catania this morning.
Captain of doomed migrant ship in the dock Italian court. Mohammed Ali Malek faced multiple homicide charges http://t.co/kV07ppQus6
Malek faces a likely 30 year jail term is convicted. He protest his innocence http://t.co/lAbiqEGbrS
Mohammed Ali Malek - pictured with short dark hair, a black top and jeans - faces a long prison sentence if convicted in relation to the deaths.
The 27-year-old denies that he was in charge of the ship, which was believed to have been carrying hundreds of African and Bangladeshi people from Libya.
His co-accused, Mahmud Bikhit, 25 - who may face charges of favoring clandestine immigration but not of multiple homicide - also denies that he was involved in the disaster.
Mohammed Ali Malek, presumed captain of this weekend's sunken migrant ship, showed little emotion as he appeared in court today.
As the politicians meet, a people smuggler scorned their efforts. The man insists he is helping desperate people out of dire situations.
Abdel Rahim Ali says his journey from Africa to Europe was fraught with hunger, incarceration and the regular threat of death.