Mangalore: Agony Continues for Capt Aroza’s Family as Hearing Adjourned to Sep 16
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RS/CN)
Mangalore, Aug 22: Preetha Aroza, wife of Captain Glen Patrick Aroza, said, the first case hearing of the M.T.Tosa took place at 1700hrs Taiwan time, and being the first day of the trial, as per court procedures, the first hearing only involved the accused to identify themselves. The next hearing has been scheduled for the 16th of September.
In the meanwhile, the company, NYKSM, has confirmed to Preetha Aroza that Panama Attorney General’s office has accepted the case and so it will now approach the Panama External Affairs ministry to take the necessary action in requesting the Taiwan Government to decline jurisdiction of the case and transfer the case to Panama for trial under the latter’s jurisdiction.
Capt Aroza is the Master of Very Large Cargo Carrier, Motor Tanker Tosa (VLCC MT Tosa) which was detained on April 17. Since then, many such hearings have been held on various dates but no judgment has been passed yet by the authorities.
Preetha said that during the hearing only questions pertaining to her husband’s name and related details were asked.
Meanwhile, Panama authorities have claimed jurisdiction over the case. It is said that Panama will send its envoy to Taiwan seeking to transfer the case to their country as per the International Law of Sea 1982.
Capt Aroza was first detained as a material witness and later accused of involuntary manslaughter. His wife said that at the time of the incident, her husband was not on duty as Master and hence his detention was not justified. She emphasized that he is innocent.
Preetha added that she had received a message that the Panama authorities will claim jurisdiction for his trial as per the International Law of 1982, which states that “any proceedings may be instituted against such person except before the judicial or administrative authorities of the flag state or the state of which a personal is a national”.
She conveyed the message from Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) of Japan which owns the crude carrier.
The result of the request by Panama is still unknown. If the request is granted by Taiwan then Capt Aroza and his colleagues will face trial by Panama authorities.
The captain, second officer Mohammed Rizaul Karim, a Bangladesh resident, and seaman Eduwardo Mallorca have been detained by Taiwan after a Taiwanese trawler capsized in international waters and two fishermen went missing.