A Turkish court of appeals yesterday increased heavily the prison sentences imposed on live Israeli fishermen allegedly captured fishing in Turkish waters, it was reported here today.
The fishermen contended, during their trial last March, that the Turkish coast guard vessel which intercepted them lacked scientific instruments to determine their exact position, and that they had been fishing outside Turkish territorial waters. They were arrested in September, 1959.
The defendants were found guilty and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment each. They appealed the verdict. The court of appeals not only rejected their appeal, but increased the sentences to five years’ imprisonment, including three years of forced farm labor.
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