Persons responsible for killing Russians in Bodrum to face life sentences

Eight Turkish citizens accused in killing of five Russians with surrogate alcohol in Bodrum might face life imprisonment. In connection with the criminal case Turkish procuracy arrested 11 people – boat trip organizer, members of staff of the spirits supplier company Naz Ichejek, yacht crew, several more alleged criminals were placed under house arrest. The public prosecutor called for life sentences for the accused in intentional homicide. The first hearing is scheduled for March 5, 2012.

As we all remember more than 20 Russians, who were on a familiarization trip to Bodrum in May 2011, were poisoned with counterfeit alcohol during a yacht trip organized by a local company. Four died in Turkish hospitals, one – in a Moscow clinic. The poisoning was caused by methylated spirit, contained in fake Mr. Burdon whisky, which all the sufferers had been drinking – reports RIA Novosti news agency.

The criminal case reads that one of the accused - Mr. Ilker Atajan – produced low-quality alcoholic beverage and shipped it to Ankara using fake way-bills, where it was eventually sold by Birlik Gyda company. Before the trip the owner of the yacht Orkan 5 purchased 52 bottles of gin and vodka, but right after the incident all the unused bottles were disposed of. The investigators claim that the staff of Birlik Gyda and Naz Ichejek companies as well as the yacht owners and their partners couldn’t be unaware of the counterfeit origins of the whisky, because earlier the country’s Ministry of Agriculture declared this type of drink labeled Mr. Burdon unwholesome.