Mariners Rejoice After Acquittal

Chakhrach, a grandfather from Ukraine, and Zakuradajev, an unmarried man from Lithuania, were hired last year to work 52 hours a week on the Yalta, a rusty Panamanian freighter Chakhrach as the captain and Zakuradajev as the second officer... [Read More]

Shipping Crewmen Acquitted of Drug Charges – Free to Go Home

“Fight the drug war, pay the bill. The Yalta crewmen are free to go home, but their acquittal in Tampa comes at a high price.” TAMPA – A year ago, off the coast of Venezuela, a British war ship intercepted... [Read More]

Lawyers Offer Freed Sailors Places to Stay

Most of the sailors will live temporarily in a rental home owned by defense attorney Richard Cox. [Bjorn Brunvand] said the captain, Yuri Chakhrach, will stay with him until he can return to his home in the Ukraine... [Read More]