Cellmate Suicide Attempt Raises Concerns for Seafarer Albokhari
The suicide attempt by Ali Albokhari’s cellmate has raised serious concerns over the psychological well-being of the detained seafarer, his wife says. According to Elena Albokhari, Ali reported that his cellmate attempted to hang himself in their shared cell in front of the chief mate earlier this week. While the guards intervened in time to save the prisoner, the incident has left Ali traumatized, Elena stated in a statement.
A Disturbing Pattern of Violence
No further information has been released about Albokhari’s cellmate, who was removed from the cell after the incident. However, Elena Albokhari revealed this is not the first time such an event has occurred in the facility, noting that previous incidents had taken place but this time the prisoner witnessed it firsthand. Tensions within the prison remain high, with inmates reporting frequent fights. One prisoner recently suffered a knife attack that left their face slashed, according to Elena.
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“My husband has suffered severe psychological trauma. He has also witnessed several prisoners being brutally beaten, leaving the surroundings covered in blood. These are horrifying experiences that no human being should have to endure,” Elena said. She explained that Ali tries to avoid looking at the violence by sitting quietly and closing his eyes, but he fears for his life due to the unstable and unpredictable environment. The conditions, she argues, constitute cruel and inhumane treatment.
Background of Albokhari’s Detention
The ordeal for Ali Albokhari began over three years ago when he was arrested and convicted alongside Captain Marko Bekavac for alleged drug trafficking aboard the Turkish-operated vessel Phoenician-M. Despite the conviction, little evidence directly linking the two men to the drugs was presented at trial. Their appeals were rejected, with the Supreme Court upholding their sentences by a 3-2 majority. However, Captain Bekavac was released under suspicious circumstances last year, just months before the court’s final ruling, which has intensified Elena’s campaign for Ali’s release.
While diplomatic efforts by Croatia successfully secured Bekavac’s return to his home country, Elena criticizes the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for failing to achieve similar results for Ali. This disparity has led Elena to raise a deeply troubling concern about whether her husband’s nationality affects the level of protection offered by Finland.
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International Concerns and Legal Disparities
The Turkish judiciary has not provided an explanation for Bekavac’s early release, which occurred before the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold his 30-year sentence. Elena highlights this as evidence of inconsistent justice, contrasting it with Ali’s continued detention. She argues that the lack of transparency and the differing treatment of Finnish versus Croatian nationals undermine the principles of fair legal proceedings. The Human Rights At Sea report, cited by Elena, further details the injustices Ali has faced during his incarceration.
“He tells me that he just tries to sit quietly, close his eyes, and avoid looking at what’s happening around him. But at the same time, he is genuinely afraid for his life because he is surrounded by extremely unstable and unpredictable people who can suddenly turn violent and attack each other without any warning,” Elena explained. These conditions, she maintains, are not only psychologically damaging but also violate basic human rights, further complicating the legal and diplomatic challenges surrounding Ali’s case.
