A Greek court on Tuesday threw out charges versus 9 Egyptian men implicated of triggering a shipwreck that killed numerous migrants off Greece last year, ruling it had no jurisdiction over the case due to the fact that the disaster was in international waters.

The overcrowded Adriana fishing trawler from Libya was carrying as much as 700 Pakistani, Syrian and Egyptian migrants bound for Italy before it capsized off southwestern Greece on June 14. Only 104 survivors were saved and 82 bodies discovered.

It was among the most dangerous boat accidents ever in the Mediterranean Sea and raised questions about the methods used by EU countries to stem the circulation of migrants heading to their coasts, often in small, weak boats.

The 9 offenders, who were on board and charged with migrant smuggling, triggering a shipwreck and taking part in a. criminal organisation, invested 11 months in detention before the. case was dismissed within hours of the trial opening.

They had actually rejected wrongdoing. Their attorneys stated they were. migrants seeking a much better life in Italy and had been used by. Greek authorities as scapegoats.

Survivors say a devastating effort by the Greek coastguard. to tow the boat triggered it to capsize in a few of the inmost. waters in the Mediterranean. They said the coastguard had. kept track of the boat for hours before launching a rescue. operation.

Human rights groups and the offenders' attorneys have. questioned the integrity of the Greek investigation and say not. enough has actually been done to penetrate the coastguard's role.

The cause of the shipwreck remains a source of dispute. Greece's coastguard has rejected any function in the sinking and stated. those on the vessel had declined assistance. It declined to. talk about Tuesday.

CHEERS, HUGS

The courtroom in the city of Kalamata emerged in applause. after the judge revealed the choice on Tuesday. The males, aged. from 21 to 41, hugged relatives or knelt and kissed the floor.

This is a terrific victory for human rights in Greece,. Spyros Pantazis, among the accuseds' legal representatives, told Reuters.

Nine innocent males are strolling complimentary. Finally, after a huge. struggle and pain, justice has actually been served.

Family members were overjoyed.

I am very pleased ... I just want to get him and take. him with me, said the auntie of among the accuseds, who had. taken a trip from Italy to participate in the trial.

It was not instantly clear if another international court. would look into what took place. Legal specialists said there is no. clear jurisdiction if an undocumented or unflagged vessel. capsizes in international waters.

The Greek coastguard's role in the incident is being. examined by a marine court, but the timing of any report or. trial is not yet understood.

In September, 40 survivors filed a claim against Greek. authorities for stopping working to act faster to save those on board.

Defence lawyers stated the 9 men were charged on. insufficient proof following a rushed investigation.

The accuseds are anticipated to be released in the coming. days and to be sent out to a camp near Athens while their asylum. applications are processed. It might be weeks before they are. completely complimentary, one of their attorneys said.

The case has been followed carefully in Greece, which in the. past decade has been a magnet for numerous countless. migrants from Africa and the Middle East looking for asylum.