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Costa Concordia captain's trial delayed Costa Concordia captain's trial delayed
(about 1 hour later)
The trial of the captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, which capsized off Italy's coast last year killing 32 people, was delayed just as it started on Tuesday because of a lawyers' strike.The trial of the captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, which capsized off Italy's coast last year killing 32 people, was delayed just as it started on Tuesday because of a lawyers' strike.
The giant ship flipped on its side outside the Tuscan port of Giglio in January 2012 after it struck rocks during a manoeuvre that brought it too close to shore.The giant ship flipped on its side outside the Tuscan port of Giglio in January 2012 after it struck rocks during a manoeuvre that brought it too close to shore.
Captain Francesco Schettino, who left the ship before all of its crew and passengers had been rescued, faces charges including multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship.Captain Francesco Schettino, who left the ship before all of its crew and passengers had been rescued, faces charges including multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship.
He argues that he managed to prevent a worse disaster by steering the vessel into shallow waters after the impact to help the rescue operation.He argues that he managed to prevent a worse disaster by steering the vessel into shallow waters after the impact to help the rescue operation.
He arrived at the theatre where hearings were being held in the Tuscan town of Grosseto, wearing a blue suit and sunglasses and declining to answer questions from a scrum of reporters.He arrived at the theatre where hearings were being held in the Tuscan town of Grosseto, wearing a blue suit and sunglasses and declining to answer questions from a scrum of reporters.
The trial was immediately postponed until 17 July because lawyers involved in the case were taking part in a nationwide strike to protest at measures aimed at streamlining civil trials.The trial was immediately postponed until 17 July because lawyers involved in the case were taking part in a nationwide strike to protest at measures aimed at streamlining civil trials.
The lawyers, whose strike is due to last until 16 July, are also angry at the justice minister, Anna Maria Cancellieri, who has accused them of blocking reforms.The lawyers, whose strike is due to last until 16 July, are also angry at the justice minister, Anna Maria Cancellieri, who has accused them of blocking reforms.
The Concordia accident triggered a chaotic night-time evacuation of more than 4,000 passengers and crew from the 290-metre-long ship (951ft), which still rests on a rock shelf outside Giglio port.The Concordia accident triggered a chaotic night-time evacuation of more than 4,000 passengers and crew from the 290-metre-long ship (951ft), which still rests on a rock shelf outside Giglio port.
If found guilty, Schettino could face up to 20 years in jail, his lawyer has said.If found guilty, Schettino could face up to 20 years in jail, his lawyer has said.
State prosecutors rejected a plea bargain offer from Schettino in May but accepted those of five other officials, including four ship's officers and the crisis co-ordinator of the vessel's owners, Costa Cruises.State prosecutors rejected a plea bargain offer from Schettino in May but accepted those of five other officials, including four ship's officers and the crisis co-ordinator of the vessel's owners, Costa Cruises.
Costa Cruises, a unit of Carnival Corp , agreed to pay a 1m euro (£867,000) fine to settle potential criminal charges in April. Costa Cruises, a unit of Carnival Corp, agreed to pay a €1m (£867,000) fine to settle potential criminal charges in April.
That leaves Schettino as the only person on trial for the disaster.That leaves Schettino as the only person on trial for the disaster.
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