Fuel smuggling trial stalls again

As the government scrambles to play down the repercussions of a sunken oil tanker that has polluted much of the Athenian coastline, the trial of crew members of a cargo vessel dispatched to help pump the fuel out of the wreck appeared to descend into farce.

The Lassea tanker had been helping pump the residual fuel out of the Agia Zoni II until an inspection by customs and coast guard authorities last week turned up significant quantities of fuel in the ship's hold that was not legally accounted for.

The Lassea's captain and first engineer were subsequently charged with fuel smuggling and had been due to face trial on Thursday.

However, proceedings were put off until Friday due to an absence of the required reports and prosecution witnesses and then postponed again until September 28.

The key document required is one showing the level of customs charges that...

Continue reading on: