Captain Vjaceslavs Birzakovs, captain of the oil tanker RIDGEBURY ALEXANDRA Z was convicted and sentenced in Louisiana for maintaining false and incomplete records relating to the discharge of oil from a tanker. After 19 months of detention, Louisiana Jury acquitted the Master of all charges, who is now able to return to Russia, following his complete acquittal by a jury on May 23, 2019.
The captain was accused of six criminal counts of federal pollution and obstruction of justice, based on the USCG’s investigation. During a four-day trial, Michael W. Magner, a partner at Jones Walker, and his colleague T.C. Wicker, IV supported the captain.
Captain Birzakovs along with ten crewmembers and officers were detained in the South Louisiana Area for 19 months; Yet, the master maintained his innocence all the time and asked for a speedy trial.
Therefore, after two hours of deliberations the jury announced the captain’s innocence on all six charges.
Captain Birzakovs noted
I cooperated fully with the Coast Guard’s investigation and am very pleased but not at all surprised by the jury’s verdict.
Mr. Magner, the Master’s attorney commented
As a result of the fair treatment Captain Birzakovs received in the courts, he is now a believer in the American jury system. We are glad that he was vindicated and can now return home to his family and his career.