Death penalty in Greece

Regarding an article published on Dec. 4 in your esteemed newspaper titled "22 Indonesians may face death penalty in Greece", I would like to inform you of the following:

Greece has abolished the death penalty. Therefore fears that the Indonesian sailors may face the death penalty are totally unfounded.

The case refers to 22 Indonesian, two Polish, one Myanmar and five Greek crew members of the M/V Kleovoulos of Rhodes who are awaiting trial due to drugs -- 180 kilograms of cocaine -- found underwater in the hull of the vessel in August 1998. Initially all crew members, irrespective of their nationality, were remanded in custody.

In November 1998, Celestial Maritime Corporation, operators of the ship owners bailed the crew out on humanitarian reasons. Since then all non-Greek crew are staying at the Atlantis Hotel in Piraeus and receiving three meals a day. All expenses are covered by the operators. Therefore the Indonesian sailors are not currently in prison, they are free to confer with anyone and, in general, free to move around. Evidently, pending their trial, crew members are not allowed to leave the country.

Dec. 13 this year is the date of the first hearing. Celestial Maritime Corporation has appointed a team of well-established criminal lawyers to represent the crew. Any delegation wishing to attend the trial is more than welcome to do so.

By now it must be clear that no infringement of the Indonesian sailors' rights has occurred and that the Indonesian sailors and the other crew members are treated as humanely as possible. To dispel misinformation and to avoid creating unnecessary misunderstandings I kindly request that this letter be published in an appropriate space.

I seize this opportunity to present the assurances of my highest consideration.

CONSTANTIN DRAKAKIS

Ambassador

Embassy of Greece in Jakarta