Trial of fisherman who attacked coast guard patrol boat adjourned

The First High Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of an Asian fisherman, who’s accused of attacking a Coast Guard patrol boat in the middle of the sea in July this year, to December 1, 2019. The defendant allegedly rammed his boat into the Coast Guard boat, after he was asked to stop for inspection.

The collision caused several injuries to one of the personnel on board the patrol boat. The defendant, who was accompanied by another fisherman of the same nationality, fell into the water and was rescued by the same patrol. Court files showed that the incident took place at night on July 22, 2019, when the patrol detected the defendant and his companion while fishing using an illegal method fishing method, trawling, which known locally as “Karaf”.

The accused was also sailing without switching on the lights of his boat; a mandatory precautionary procedure to avoid collision in the sea, according to Prosecutors. According to the policemen’s testimonies, the defendant cut the nets and attempted to escape when he was asked to stop.

They said he collided his boat with the patrol boat and injured one of the policeman as mentioned in the medical report, which stated that the victim is unable to perform his work and personal duties for more than 20 days due to the sustained injuries. A total of 30 kg of illegally caught shrimp was found on the defendant’s boat.

On the same day, the defendant was interrogated and accused by the Public Prosecution of assaulting on-duty law enforcement personnel because of performing their duties, and damaging the property of Interior Ministry, in reference to the patrol boat.