Bulgaria opens probe into drone strike on Contship Jet over prohibited warfare
Military prosecutors are investigating the drone attack on the container ship. PM Radev says L-39 jets in Balchik were on standby and a French aircraft spotted the drones early.
Symbolic image · Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brooke Keisler / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
Bulgaria's Sofia Military District Prosecutor's Office has opened pre-trial proceedings over the drone attack on the Liberian-flagged container ship Contship Jet. The case falls under Article 415(1) of the Criminal Code, covering the use of prohibited methods of warfare, and cites the San Remo Manual on armed conflict at sea. Military police in Varna will question the rescued sailors, while the vessel's ownership, cargo and route are still being established.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Thursday that Bulgaria had been ready to scramble L-39 aircraft based in Balchik had the drones entered its territorial waters, but that this proved unnecessary. He said a French reconnaissance aircraft detected the drones at least half an hour before the strike. Acting outside territorial waters would have violated international law, Radev said.
Video of the attack has been shared with allies and expert analysis is under way, he said. If the drones' origin is proven, the ambassador of the country concerned will be summoned. Only peace talks can stop the attacks for good, Radev said. The ship was hit on Wednesday about 17 nautical miles east of Cape Kaliakra and has since sunk.