Vitorino leaves captain all at sea

Date: 06/02/03

JUSTICE Commissioner António Vitorino has refused to intervene in the case of the skipper of the Prestige tanker, which sank off the Spanish coast last November releasing 70,000 tonnes of oil.

Greek MEP Emmanouil Bakopoulos has complained to Vitorino that Apostolos Mangouras is being held in poor conditions and that he fears his compatriot might not receive a fair trial.

Vitorino's refusal to step in has incensed Bakopoulos, who has accused the Commission of being "unhelpful and bureaucratic".

He said: "Vitorino's refusal to take any action merely reflects his unwillingness to bear the political consequences of what would be a just act."

Bakopoulos pointed out that bail for members of Basque separatist group ETA is usually set at €750,000, whereas it was set at a "provocative" €3 million for Mangouras.

Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner António Vitorino has refused to intervene in the case of the skipper of the Prestige tanker, which sank off the Spanish coast in November 2002 releasing 70,000 tonnes of oil.