Andrew Spurrier. 27 January 2015.  Former Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino has denied he might try to flee Italy, where prosecutors are seeking to jail him for 26 years over his role in the cruise ship's loss in January 2012.

Italian press agency ANSA quoted Schettino as saying that he was "definitely not" a potential absconder as prosecutors at his trial have claimed.

"I won't run away," he said. “Saya tidak akan melarikan diri,” katanya

Prosecutor Maria Navarro had asked the court in Grosseto, Tuscany, to have 54-year-old Schettino arrested, claiming he might flee Italy to make use of a house he owns in Switzerland or his many international contacts.

Dubbed "Captain Coward" by some media organisations for failing to stay aboard the Costa Concordia after it ran into rocks off the Italian island of Giglio, Schettino faces several charges, including dereliction of duty as well as multiple manslaughter over the incident's 32 fatalities.

Navarro said Schettino's behaviour since the tragedy have also prompted the prosecution to seek a 26-year sentence.

"Francesco Schettino has lied to everyone, to the press, to the court, to the maritime authorities," she said.

"He has never accepted responsibility [and] no elements have emerged in his favour."

Schettino has denied abandoning the ship, claiming he found himself in a lifeboat after being thrown off the vessel.

He has also claimed he prevented greater loss of life and injury by steering the ship onto the Giglio shoreline after it had struck rocks.

The defence is expected to start presenting its response on 9 February.

Source: www.ihsmaritime360.com