Startling revelations emerged during the trial against three individuals accused of human smuggling in connection with a fatal migrant shipwreck off Steccato di Cutro, Italy, on February 26, 2023. A witness, identified as Faizi H, claimed that policemen coerced him into identifying a defendant as the captain of the ship involved in the tragedy, raising questions about the reliability of witness testimonies.
Faizi H, a survivor of the shipwreck, recounted during the trial in Crotone how a police officer instructed him to sign next to a photo, identifying the individual as the ship’s captain. His allegations shed doubt on the accuracy of witness identifications, prompting the court president and the public prosecutor to seek clarification on the matter.
The witness reiterated that he was directed by the police to endorse the identification, emphasizing that while he complied, he was not forcibly coerced. However, discrepancies in the translation of Faizi H’s statements, particularly regarding accusations against other defendants, fueled further contention during the proceedings.
The defense team clashed with the prosecution over the admissibility of photo evidence presented to witnesses for identification. Despite objections raised by defense lawyers Salvatore Perri and Teresa Paladini, the court upheld the use of photos, rejecting claims of inadmissibility.
In an effort to resolve the dispute, the court president proposed employing an “informal recognition” process, which would involve cameras pointed at the defendants. However, this proposal faced opposition from the defense, underscoring the contentious nature of the trial proceedings.