Officer Ali Albokhari remains incarcerated in a Turkish prison following a guilty verdict imposed in September 2024. His wife, Elena Albokhari, continues her struggle to end the criminalization of seafarers.
In March 2023, drugs were discovered on the 34,399-dwt Phoenician-M, docked in the Black Sea port of Ereğli, Turkey. Captain Marko Bekavac and Chief Mate Ali Albokhari spent a year in remand prison in Ankara before being sentenced in September 2024 to 30 years in prison, despite no evidence of wrongdoing.
As reported by the ITF, the court did not immediately explain its decision to punish the captain and chief mate, stating only that the sentence was based on “command responsibility.” Under Turkish law, the judge must provide the reasoning for such decisions within one month.
"Seafarers are arrested just because they were on the vessel when something was found there. That’s why they are the first victims and the first to blame. And they are just scapegoats. I want our case to be the last one, "Elena, in a recent ITF video message against seafarer criminalization.
The unfair treatment of seafarers is a growing global crisis. It undermines industry confidence and raises urgent concerns about due process and justice. In June 2025, the ITF, ILO, ICS, and IMO reaffirmed their commitment to fair treatment and coordinated action to protect seafarers’ rights.
The Panama-flagged vessel was carrying coal from Colombia when police reported finding 137kg of cocaine in the aft peak tank. The drugs had already been seized by Colombian authorities, but no investigation was launched at the time. The Turkish court also failed to seek information from Colombian authorities, despite lawyers’ objections.
While Ali serves a 30-year sentence for alleged drug offences, his wife tirelessly advocates for justice in a case that has drawn wide attention in the maritime press. The remainder of the crew, including the captain, have since been released—Ali alone remains behind bars.
Elena emphasizes that the guilty verdict was issued without disclosure of charges or evidence from the prosecution.
“He has lost hope. He is dead in there. He now sees no help,” Elena said.
This week, during her first visit to London, Elena faced both challenges and moments of hope. Despite receiving personal threats for her outspoken advocacy, she continues undeterred. She has learned Turkish to communicate with her lawyer and judiciary officials, traveling with minimal resources while maintaining pressure on international maritime stakeholders.
Her mission is twofold: to secure Ali’s release and to ensure the wider issue of seafarer criminalization is addressed at the international level.
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“My husband doesn’t have any criminal record. He worked 10 years as a seaman and never had any problems. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland is aware of the case. For almost two years, I have been fighting alone, trying to save my husband. Please, save our family and help us set Ali free,” Elena said.
On Wednesday, 24 September 2025, Elena attended a meeting with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). She left encouraged by the Federation’s strong engagement with her husband’s case.
After my meeting with ITF, it gave me a lot of hope. I felt a lot of support. I saw that people are involved in the case, which I highly appreciate.
Elena also met with senior representatives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the first time. While she acknowledged their interest in the case, she left disappointed at not being able to meet Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez directly. A follow-up meeting was promised.
"I do not want more meetings. I want this case finished. There is no evidence to prove my husband is guilty of the charges. No drugs were exhibited. No documentation disclosed by the Turkish authorities."
