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Seaman guilty over Japan deaths Seaman guilty over Japan deaths
(10 minutes later)
An Israeli court has sentenced a seaman to six months' community service after his container ship hit a fishing boat off Japan, killing seven fishermen.An Israeli court has sentenced a seaman to six months' community service after his container ship hit a fishing boat off Japan, killing seven fishermen.
Second Officer Pilastro Zdravko, from Montenegro, was in charge of the ship belonging to an Israeli firm when the incident took place in September 2005.Second Officer Pilastro Zdravko, from Montenegro, was in charge of the ship belonging to an Israeli firm when the incident took place in September 2005.
Zdravko, the only man charged, pleaded guilty to causing death by negligence under a plea bargain.Zdravko, the only man charged, pleaded guilty to causing death by negligence under a plea bargain.
The deaths caused a diplomatic incident with Japan demanding punishments.The deaths caused a diplomatic incident with Japan demanding punishments.
Initial denialInitial denial
The 48,850-tonne Zim Asia hit and sunk the small Japanese trawler Shinsei Maru 3 in the dark about 40km (25 miles) off the northern coast of Japan on 28 September last year. The 48,850-tonne Zim Asia hit and sank the small Japanese trawler Shinsei Maru 3 in the dark about 40km (25 miles) off the northern coast of Japan on 28 September last year.
Seven of the eight men on board the trawler died.Seven of the eight men on board the trawler died.
The container crew initially denied involvement.The container crew initially denied involvement.
The plea bargain was sealed when Japanese witnesses were either unable or did not want to travel to testify.The plea bargain was sealed when Japanese witnesses were either unable or did not want to travel to testify.
Haifa Magistrates Court gave Zdravko a two-and-a-half-year suspended prison term in addition to the community service.Haifa Magistrates Court gave Zdravko a two-and-a-half-year suspended prison term in addition to the community service.
Zdravko said after the trial: "I am very sorry about what has happened to those families. I can just imagine the pain.Zdravko said after the trial: "I am very sorry about what has happened to those families. I can just imagine the pain.
"Both sides have suffered. I will try and finish as soon as possible with my punishment and go back home.""Both sides have suffered. I will try and finish as soon as possible with my punishment and go back home."