TIRANA, Sept. 19 – Albania and Montenegro have expressed worry over the fate of their citizens aboard a Panamanian-flagged ship that was seized by Lybian authorities over claims it broke local laws.
The general cargo ship, MV ENVI 1, owned by Albania-based Delmore Ventures Ltd. was intercepted by Libyan coast guard boats off the port of Zawya after authorities there said it was illegal transportation of construction materials.
The ship’s eight-member crew included five Albanians and three Montenegrins.
Albanian Ambassador to Egypt Eduard Sulo contacted Libyan authorities, adding that all efforts are being made to get in touch with the Albanian crew members — who appear to be safe and aboard the ship in port, according to media reports and a statement by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Montenegro’s Foreign Ministry told BIRN that it has sent a note to the Libyan embassy in Belgrade asking for information and assistance in case of the three Montenegrin sailors from an Albanian ship which was seized on smuggling charges near the port of Zawia, Libya.
The ministry said that Montenegrin citizens Marko Markovic, the captain of the ship, and officers Milan Lalicic and Filip Milivojevic, were members of the eight-member crew, alongside five Albanian citizens.
Albanian and Libyan media reported on Monday that the ship’s captain, Markovic, has been detained over allegations of the illegal transportation of construction materials, but the Montenegrin foreign ministry said that there has been no clarification as to whether the sailors have been arrested or not.
