Fishermen demand €2m boat back

Two fishermen yesterday filed a judicial protest against the Comptroller of Customs claiming that even after they were cleared of any wrongdoing in an investigation their €2 million vessel was not released.

David Debono and Andrew Debono, directors of D Holding and Investments Ltd and D Shipping Operators Ltd, said they were suffering €3,500 in damages for every day their vessel remained seized.

Their boat, Rosnik, was seized as part of investigations into allegations of the illegal purchase of duty free fuel from another boat in territorial waters. They said their vessel was prevented from leaving Grand Harbour since January 11 even after both of them were cleared in the investigation.

On January 31, the Comptroller of Customs issued two warrants of seizure for 108,000 litres of fuel aboard the boat in spite of the investigation’s conclusions.

Lawyer Roberto Montalto signed the protest.