Jewelry and Adornment of Libya: A Comprehensive Chronicle of Heritage and Craft
Libya boasts a rich heritage of traditional jewelry and adornment, yet very few resources have explored this legacy in depth. With the release of 'Jewelry and Adornment of Libya' by researcher Hala Ghellali, this academic gap has begun to be addressed seriously. The book provides a significant contribution on multiple levels.
A Personal Vision Turned into a Scholarly Reference
Hala Ghellali, the author, is Libyan by origin and grew up in Tripoli, where she first encountered silver jewelry as a young woman when her father took her to the souq to buy silver bracelets. These personal memories became the starting point of her book. However, her academic and cultural background is far broader: she studied in Tripoli, continued her education in France, and later lived in Italy, Egypt, Syria, and finally the United States.
Her deep interest in Libya's tangible and intangible history—ranging from poetry and proverbs to motifs and beliefs—clearly shaped years of field research and specialized documentation in the field of jewelry and adornment.
A Multi-Language, Multi-Source Reference
One of the book's key strengths lies in its richness of references. It meticulously documents its sources, drawing from Arabic, Italian, French, and English materials, while explicitly stating which silversmith contributed each piece of information or anecdote. This rigorous research approach elevates the book to the level of an academic reference, setting it apart from earlier works such as 'Libyan Jewellery – A Journey Through Symbols' by Elena Schenone Alberini (1998), which provided a bibliography but lacked detailed citations.
This diversity of sources results in a comprehensive work that provides readers with a full social, cultural, and historical background, offering a deeper context for understanding jewelry beyond its visual appearance.
Part One: The World of Silversmiths
The book begins with three chapters dedicated to the history of Libyan silversmithing, delving into unprecedented detail about jewelry production—from archaeological evidence and travelers' diaries to trade records that reveal pricing structures and patterns of buying and selling.
Among its notable examples is the close connection between Jewish silversmith communities in Tripoli and those in Djerba, Tunisia. These regional links—later disrupted by colonial borders—produced a strong cultural and artisanal exchange, to the extent that much southern Tunisian jewelry bore hallmarks originating from Tripoli.
The chapters also explore guild organization, traditional techniques, and terminology used by both Muslim and Jewish artisans, while analyzing how political and economic developments shaped the industry over time.
Special attention is given to the topic of hallmarks, explaining their evolution during and after the Italian colonial period, and clarifying the differences between official assay marks and personal maker's stamps.
Part Two: Jewelry from Head to Toe
The middle section contains ten full chapters that present different types of jewelry—from headpieces to waistcoat buttons, belts, anklets, and decorated slippers. Each item is listed with its local name, along with poetry, proverbs, and popular song excerpts, as well as explanations of their linguistic origins and symbolic meanings.
The book does more than merely describe objects—it offers glimpses into daily customs, beliefs, and the occasions associated with each piece. Photography plays a central role here, featuring unpublished images from private collections and archival photos showing how these ornaments were actually worn.
Part Three: Wedding Traditions in Tripoli
The final section documents adornment customs in Tripoli's engagement and wedding ceremonies, illustrated with vintage photos of real-life celebrations. This is a valuable contribution, preserving traditions that are fading as lifestyles change.
Racing Against Time to Save Memory
The epilogue highlights the challenges Ghellali faced while creating this work. Beyond limited access to archives after 2011, there was an even greater obstacle: the rapid disappearance of the last generation of artisans and women who still remember pre–World War II customs and songs.
To preserve this intangible heritage, the book includes an appendix listing the names of Tripolitan silversmiths and goldsmiths. Even though their full biographies or hallmark stamps require future research, recording their names is itself an act of cultural preservation.
Glossary and Critical Notes
The book also features a four-page glossary of jewelry terms in Libyan Arabic, making it a valuable tool for researchers.
From a reviewer's perspective, minor suggestions include adding a map to show the geographic locations of the mentioned cities, providing stronger archaeological evidence to support interpretations of symbols like the 'Tanit triangle' or 'cross-in-circle,' and reconsidering the use of green font for quotations, which may affect readability. However, these are stylistic issues that do not detract from the book's significant scholarly value.
A Landmark Resource for Researchers and Enthusiasts
Although the author clarifies that her intention was not to create an exhaustive catalog, 'Jewelry and Adornment of Libya' sets a new benchmark for studies of Libyan traditional jewelry. With its extensive sources, deep analysis, and precise documentation, it is far more than a display of ornaments—it is a living record of the social, cultural, and historical world in which these pieces were created.
read more
15 Ludicrous Cosplay Costumes That Will Blow You Away
Watch... Dorra's natural beauty will blow your mind in latest photo session
Exercising For As Little As 150 Minutes A Week Will Make You Happier، Study Claims
ARIES: Your Horoscope for April 7
FDA Now Considers Vaping A Rising Epidemic In High School
Lifestyle
How to make Dried salted fish (feseekh) -By Chef El-Sherbini
Lifestyle
Batarekh Dip & Sardine Dip
Lifestyle
Best of Easter cookie and cakes
Lifestyle
ARIES friendship
News
Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters
Arts & Culture
"Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Videos & Features
Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Arts & Culture
South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle
Business
Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs
Sports
Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
News
"Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence"
Arts & Culture
Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Jewelry and Adornment of Libya: A Comprehensive Chronicle of Heritage and Craft
Waleed Farouk Libya boasts a rich heritage of traditional jewelry and adornment, yet very few resources have explored this legacy in depth. With the release of 'Jewelry and Adornment of Libya' by researcher Hala Ghellali, this academic gap has begun to be addressed seriously. The book provides a significant contribution on multiple levels. A Personal Vision Turned into a Scholarly Reference Hala Ghellali, the author, is Libyan by origin and grew up in Tripoli, where she first encountered silver jewelry as a young woman when her father took her to the souq to buy silver bracelets. These personal memories became the starting point of her book. However, her academic and cultural background is far broader: she studied in Tripoli, continued her education in France, and later lived in Italy, Egypt, Syria, and finally the United States. Her deep interest in Libya's tangible and intangible history—ranging from poetry and proverbs to motifs and beliefs—clearly shaped years of field research and specialized documentation in the field of jewelry and adornment. A Multi-Language, Multi-Source Reference One of the book's key strengths lies in its richness of references. It meticulously documents its sources, drawing from Arabic, Italian, French, and English materials, while explicitly stating which silversmith contributed each piece of information or anecdote. This rigorous research approach elevates the book to the level of an academic reference, setting it apart from earlier works such as 'Libyan Jewellery – A Journey Through Symbols' by Elena Schenone Alberini (1998), which provided a bibliography but lacked detailed citations. This diversity of sources results in a comprehensive work that provides readers with a full social, cultural, and historical background, offering a deeper context for understanding jewelry beyond its visual appearance. Part One: The World of Silversmiths The book begins with three chapters dedicated to the history of Libyan silversmithing, delving into unprecedented detail about jewelry production—from archaeological evidence and travelers' diaries to trade records that reveal pricing structures and patterns of buying and selling. Among its notable examples is the close connection between Jewish silversmith communities in Tripoli and those in Djerba, Tunisia. These regional links—later disrupted by colonial borders—produced a strong cultural and artisanal exchange, to the extent that much southern Tunisian jewelry bore hallmarks originating from Tripoli. The chapters also explore guild organization, traditional techniques, and terminology used by both Muslim and Jewish artisans, while analyzing how political and economic developments shaped the industry over time. Special attention is given to the topic of hallmarks, explaining their evolution during and after the Italian colonial period, and clarifying the differences between official assay marks and personal maker's stamps. Part Two: Jewelry from Head to Toe The middle section contains ten full chapters that present different types of jewelry—from headpieces to waistcoat buttons, belts, anklets, and decorated slippers. Each item is listed with its local name, along with poetry, proverbs, and popular song excerpts, as well as explanations of their linguistic origins and symbolic meanings. The book does more than merely describe objects—it offers glimpses into daily customs, beliefs, and the occasions associated with each piece. Photography plays a central role here, featuring unpublished images from private collections and archival photos showing how these ornaments were actually worn. Part Three: Wedding Traditions in Tripoli The final section documents adornment customs in Tripoli's engagement and wedding ceremonies, illustrated with vintage photos of real-life celebrations. This is a valuable contribution, preserving traditions that are fading as lifestyles change. Racing Against Time to Save Memory The epilogue highlights the challenges Ghellali faced while creating this work. Beyond limited access to archives after 2011, there was an even greater obstacle: the rapid disappearance of the last generation of artisans and women who still remember pre–World War II customs and songs. To preserve this intangible heritage, the book includes an appendix listing the names of Tripolitan silversmiths and goldsmiths. Even though their full biographies or hallmark stamps require future research, recording their names is itself an act of cultural preservation. Glossary and Critical Notes The book also features a four-page glossary of jewelry terms in Libyan Arabic, making it a valuable tool for researchers. From a reviewer's perspective, minor suggestions include adding a map to show the geographic locations of the mentioned cities, providing stronger archaeological evidence to support interpretations of symbols like the 'Tanit triangle' or 'cross-in-circle,' and reconsidering the use of green font for quotations, which may affect readability. However, these are stylistic issues that do not detract from the book's significant scholarly value. A Landmark Resource for Researchers and Enthusiasts Although the author clarifies that her intention was not to create an exhaustive catalog, 'Jewelry and Adornment of Libya' sets a new benchmark for studies of Libyan traditional jewelry. With its extensive sources, deep analysis, and precise documentation, it is far more than a display of ornaments—it is a living record of the social, cultural, and historical world in which these pieces were created. read more 15 Ludicrous Cosplay Costumes That Will Blow You Away Watch... Dorra's natural beauty will blow your mind in latest photo session Exercising For As Little As 150 Minutes A Week Will Make You Happier، Study Claims ARIES: Your Horoscope for April 7 FDA Now Considers Vaping A Rising Epidemic In High School Lifestyle How to make Dried salted fish (feseekh) -By Chef El-Sherbini Lifestyle Batarekh Dip & Sardine Dip Lifestyle Best of Easter cookie and cakes Lifestyle ARIES friendship News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Mid East Info
Universal American School in Dubai celebrates record AP Results and Strong Bilingual IBDP Success - Middle East Business News and Information
The top IBDP scorer at the Universal American School earned 43 points, with the average score of 33 points well above global averages • The school also saw its strongest AP results to date; among 92 students, 74% scored 3 or higher, including 100% in AP Pre-calculus and 70% in Human Geography Dubai, United Arab Emirates;July 2025: Universal American School (UAS), operated by the Al Futtaim Education Foundation, is celebrating another strong academic year as the Class of 2025 delivers standout results in both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams. This year, the school registered 44 students for the IBDP, double the number from 2024, and achieved results that outperformed global averages across key areas. 5% of students achieved over 40 points, with the top scorer earning 43 points. The average score of 33 points was well above global averages. While 58% of students earned A or B grades in Theory of Knowledge, 42% earned A or B grades in the Extended Essay and 66% gained two additional points from the Core. Notably, 37% of diploma recipients earned a bilingual diploma through Arabic A Language and Literature, English A Language and Literature, and the School-Supported Self-Taught (SSST) programme, one of the highest bilingual diploma achievement rates in school history. In parallel, UAS students also delivered the school's strongest AP results to date. A record 92 students sat 194 AP exams, the highest number in school history. Of those, 74% scored 3 or higher, including 100% in AP Pre-Calculus and 70% in Human Geography. UAS celebrated 18 exams earning the top score of 5, achieved by 13 different students, including several who earned a 5 in all three of their AP subjects. AP Computer Science A stood out, with 43% of students earning a 5, reflecting their readiness for university-level study. These results highlight the continued growth and academic strength of the AP programme at UAS. With these impressive outcomes, graduates are now heading to top universities around the world, prepared to take on the next chapter of their academic and personal journeys. Kevin Loft, School Director of Universal American School, described the results as the culmination of years of effort, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth. He said: 'It's a collective accomplishment and a moment of real pride for the entire school.' Tracey Cummins, Assistant Principal of Universal American School, highlighted the consistency and determination that shaped this year's results: 'These outcomes reflect more than just academic strength, they show how sustained effort, day in and day out, leads to success. Behind every result is a network of people teachers who guided, families who supported, and peers who encouraged one another. Achievements like these come from working together.' Rachel Bartlett, IB Diploma Coordinator at Universal American School, praised the students for their maturity and dedication: 'I'm so proud of this group. For two years, they've shown commitment, stayed focused, and supported one another. They've handled every challenge with maturity.' Philip Berry, Secondary School Principal of Universal American School, added: 'These results reflect the long hours, deep thinking, and personal commitment that defined this cohort's approach to their studies. Parents, guardians, and teachers provided ongoing support and encouragement every step of the way. Their dedication helped create the foundation these results now stand on.' Universal American School continues to provide a rigorous and supportive academic environment where students thrive and are well prepared for future challenges. The Class of 2025 has demonstrated not only academic excellence but also the values and character that define UAS graduates. About Universal American School: Universal American School (UAS) is a leading American international school in Dubai offering a dynamic, inclusive education from PreK to Grade 12. Known for its rigorous academic programmes, including the IB Diploma and American curriculum pathways, UAS cultivates global citizens through personalised learning and a strong sense of community. About Al-Futtaim: Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Operating across 18 countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, the Group spans key sectors including automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and health. Al-Futtaim's work is driven by a clear purpose: to enrich lives and elevate communities through practical, forward-looking solutions. Employing a workforce of nearly 33,000 people, Al-Futtaim represents a portfolio of over 200 of the world's most recognised and trusted brands, including Toyota, Lexus, IKEA, ACE, Marks & Spencer, and many more. With a strong focus on digital innovation and artificial intelligence, sustainable growth, strategic partnerships, and empowering its people, Al-Futtaim's approach is anchored in long-term value creation. Its integrated business model positions the Group as a reliable partner to stakeholders—supporting customers, communities, and collaborators alike in navigating the needs of today while planning for tomorrow. Underpinned by the values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim continues to build a legacy that reflects its responsibility to people, progress, and the planet.
Mada
20-07-2025
- Mada
What was the Greek coastguard doing instead of rescuing 750 people?
'Tell the captain of the big red ship 'we don't want to go to Greece' okay?' an officer in the Greek coastguard said at 6:51 pm in a call to the Adriana, a fishing boat carrying 750 migrants, on June 13. The officer's voice can be heard speaking to the fishing vessel seven hours before it and the hundreds of desperate people on board would capsize into the sea in one of the biggest wrecks to ever take place in the Mediterranean. Instead of conducting rescue operations that could have saved over 500 people who died in the wreck, mostly Egyptian and Pakistani nationals who had boarded the irregular migration voyage from Libya to seek a better life in Europe, the Greek coastguard can be heard instructing the passengers in distress to tell passing commercial vessels that they don't want to enter Greece's maritime zone. A recording of the 6:51 pm call is audible in one of the files the Greek coastguard submitted to the Piraeus Naval Court that is investigating its role in the 2023 shipwreck, obtained and reviewed by OmniaTV. The call, only audible in the background of one of the submitted files, discredits the narrative that was put forward by the coastguard immediately after the wreck: that the people on board did not want Greece's help and insisted that they wanted to travel to Italy — and that nine of survivors of the wreck were responsible for the death of the majority of the passengers. OmniaTV's examination of the recordings, which document some calls between the coastguard and other vessels in the final hours before the Adriana sank, shows that the coastguard was aware of the desperate conditions on board and that instead of acting to rescue them, it spent hours in advance of the wreck creating a set of documentary evidence that would exempt it of any responsibility toward the passengers in danger. The Greek outlet, as well as lawyers of the survivors and the passengers who died, and the Greek Ombudsman investigating the wreck independently, also point to gaps in the evidence submitted by the coastguard to the investigating court. Following the concerns raised by several entities and the evidence that has emerged from the recordings, a new round of preliminary investigations was launched earlier this year — almost two years after the wreck — into the Greek coastguard's actions. All signs of emergency, no sense of urgency Although details of what the coastguard actually did in the hours before the shipwreck are difficult to confirm due to gaps in the official statements and evidence submitted, the accounts of other entities that played a role during the boat's final hours at sea provide a picture. What emerges is that it was clear to the coastguard, more than 12 hours before the Adriana capsized, that the boat was near Greek waters and the many people on board were in distress. Italy based activist Nawal Soufi first shared information about the boat with the Italian authorities after she received a distress call from its passengers in the morning on June 13. Italian authorities then informed the Greek coastguard's Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) at 11.00 am that the overcrowded boat in distress was within the Greek search and rescue zone. Based in Piraeus, the JRCC operates under the Greek coastguard's authority and coordinates search and rescue operations within the Greek zone. While the Greek coastguard confirmed in its official statement the following day that it made contact with passengers on the boat as early as 11 am on June 13, it stressed that the passengers refused to be rescued in Greece. The coastguard was aware, however, that the people on board were in a dangerous situation. This information was conveyed to them by Alarm Phone, an activist hotline for migrants in distress in the Mediterranean, who sent an email to the Greek coastguard and Frontex later on the same day stating that passengers were 'urgently requesting assistance.' Instead of sending a rescue vessel to assist, the coastguard sent two commercial vessels carrying food and water, which it said were the only kind of assistance the passengers required as 'they wished to continue on to Italy.' The captains of both commercial vessels echoed the dangerous situation in their reports to the coastguard, but they were also dismissed. In a call between the captain of the Lucky Sailor, the first commercial vessel that approached the sinking boat on the evening of June 13, and a JRCC official, the captain can be heard saying that the Adriana was overcrowded to the point where people on deck were unable to stand up. The Greek official fails to address the captain's concerns, however, neglecting to engage with his description of the boat's dangerous situation on the call. Description: Call between JRCC operator and the Lucky Sailo r captain, on June 13, 2023, at 20:10:42. Courtesy: OmniaTV Then, when the Faithful Warrior, the second commercial ship, approached the sinking boat at around 9 pm, its captain also reportedly informed the coastguard that it was ' rocking dangerously ' because of the large number of people visibly on deck. These reports of danger from the hours before the wreck were nowhere to be found in the Greek coastguard's retelling of the events in the following days, with its officials insisting instead, on multiple occasions, that the Adriana 's passengers did not request Greece's help. The coastguard also refused offers of help by Frontex in the hours before the boat sank. In an internal report from December last year, Frontex, which also received Alarm Phone's email, said it informed the coastguard that the boat needed assistance shortly afterward and, on five separate occasions until the time of the shipwreck, offered to assist the coastguard in its operations. All offers were rejected. Instead of accepting assistance, a joint investigation by Mada Masr and OmniaTV at the time revealed that the coastguard instructed Frontex's drone to patrol a different area where another incident was taking place on the same day. Frontex concluded in its report that the coastguard launched rescue operations when it was 'already too late' to save the people aboard the Adriana. Staging impunity What was the coast guard doing in the meantime? The answer is indicated by a conversation between coastguard officers that can be heard in the background of one of the recorded calls, though documentation of the conversation itself was not among the recordings submitted as evidence. In the call, which took place shortly before 6 pm, the officers can be heard discussing the narrative Greek authorities would repeat over and over on the following days. A JRCC operator tells his colleague that it would be 'convenient' if it is written in the logbook of the Lucky Sailor that the Adriana 's passengers refused to be rescued in Greece, according to a transcript of the call published by OmniaTV. Another JRCC operator can be heard later in the background of a second recorded call, a little before 7 pm, instructing passengers to tell an approaching commercial vessel that 'we don't want to go to Greece.' Description: Call between JRCC operator and the Radio and Television Center on June 13, 2023, at 18:51:34. Courtesy: OmniaTV Audio editing: Alexandre Mitri A little after 8 pm that night, the captain of the Lucky Sailor told a JRCC operator that this is what the people aboard the Adriana did. The same JRCC operator then requested that the Lucky Sailor's captain be careful to document the fact that people on the Adriana had asked not to go to Greece. 'They told you that they don't want to stay in Greece and they want to go to Italy, they don't want anything else?' the rescue center official asked in the recorded call submitted to court. The captain replied that passengers on deck screamed 'Italia' when he asked 'Greece or Italia?' — just as they had earlier been instructed to do by the JRCC. 'Captain, I want you to write this in your logbook, the bridge logbook,' the rescue center official is heard instructing through the recording. 'I want you to write that they don't want to stay in Greece and they want to go to Italy. That they want nothing from Greece and they want to go to Italy.' Description: Call between the captain of the Lucky Sailor and JRCC official on June 13, 2023, at 20:10:42. Courtesy: OmniaTV This insistence was vital in supporting what the Greek Shipping Ministry would assert in its recounting of events the next day: that the hundreds of men, women and children who had been stuck at sea in the Adriana for days were intransigent and did not want the help that was offered to them. The ministry claimed that the Adriana 's passengers had thrown supplies offered to them into the sea, something that one of the survivors told The Washington Post at the time was done because the bottles of water were thrown at them by the trade vessel and the movement was causing the boat to rock worryingly, putting them in danger of capsizing. Missing evidence None of the communications between the JRCC and the rescue vessel, before the shipwreck, nor any of the JRCC's communications with the Adriana, with the exception of the call audible in the background of another recording, were included in the evidence submitted by the coastguard to the Piraeus court. The captain of the first and only boat that the Greek coastguard sent, the PPLS 920, said in court that he was instructed to depart toward the boat in distress by noon on June 13, in his deposition in an earlier case which tried nine Egyptian migrants who were eventually acquitted of charges of causing the boat to capsize. But after the PPLS 920 's departure from Crete, it approached the distressed boat and 'remained at a distance and observed it discreetly' at 10:40 pm, according to the coast guard's statement the next day. After that, the only recorded contact between the PPLS920 and the JRCC is 24 minutes before the boat sank, at 1:40 am on June 14, reporting on the failure of the fishing trawler's motor. Even the call detailing the capsizing is not included in the evidence submitted. It was, however, quoted in the coastguard's records on June 14 that at 2:04 am, an official on board the Lucky Sailor informed the Shipping Ministry that the fishing vessel 'took a right, then a sharp left and another right so great that it resulted in its overturning.' But none of the communications made by JRCC in the most critical period of the incident, between two and a half hours prior to the shipwreck until around 18 minutes after it occurred, were included in the submitted evidence. Instead, it submitted to the court 12 calls made between the JRCC and its rescue vessel in the hours following the capsizing, where they planned recovery operations of the people who were thrown into the sea. In an attempt to justify the gap in the evidence, the coastguard has claimed that it was due to a 'complete collapse of the JRCC telecommunications system,' adding that in this case, communications are usually made from 'analog devices' and are therefore unable to be recorded. However, according to OmniaTV, there is no record of the JRCC's telecommunications system failing during that period of time. Other factors that made it difficult to review the coastguard's actions on the day of the shipwreck were that the rescue vessel it sent to monitor the Adriana was not provided with a black box, or Voyage Data Recorder — despite recommendations by Frontex to Greek authorities in 2021 which require all Frontex-funded Greek rescue vessels, like the PPLS-920, to record operations. The vessel's cameras were also out of order, as reportedly claimed by the coastguard to the Greek Ombudsman, which launched its investigation after the coast guard refused to launch an internal one. The coastguard argued at the time that its crew were instead focused on rescue operations. The coastguard later claimed that while the cameras did work, images were not stored due a long-term failure in the recording system, according to the Greek authority. The type of rescue ship sent by the coastguard is equipped with two state-of-the-art thermal camera systems. These ' gaps and omissions ' were also noted to be present in another evidence file submitted by the coastguard at the request of the Greek Ombudsman. The independent authority highlighted in a statement earlier this year that data from the mobile phone of the rescue vessel captain, now in possession of the Piraeus court, and all conversations between the captain and the JRCC until the boat capsized were among the most crucial undisclosed pieces of evidence. The authority has also accused senior Greek coastguard officers of 'a series of serious and reprehensible omissions in the search and rescue duties,' holding eight of its senior members responsible for the death of hundreds. Lawyers representing the survivors and those who were killed also mentioned that crucial conversations between coastguard officials were not included in the evidence submitted to the Piraeus Maritime Court, which began initial investigations into the Greek coastguard's role in the shipwreck in June 2023 and concluded them in December. The lawyers submitted a petition to the court in which they mentioned the missing evidence in the same month. The lawyers are contesting the Piraeus court's lack of investigation into the actions of the Greek maritime authority's high-ranking officials. The deputy prosecutor of the court has so far summoned only the captain and crew of the rescue vessel. OmniaTV has also found that not only did the Piraeus Naval Court Prosecution not receive the calls made by the coastguard's rescue operations, but they did not request them. According to OmniaTV, before submitting evidence, the coastguard had formed a committee to select audio recordings and written transcripts of the calls it made on June 13 and in the early hours of June 14. Justifying the selection of evidence, the guard claimed that it was necessary in order to distinguish the calls related to the Pylos shipwreck from those concerning a separate incident that occurred on the same day. Lawyers of the survivors and several rights groups have also highlighted the coastguard's lack of accountability and unwillingness to submit all the evidence from the time of the shipwreck. The court's deputy prosecutor re-launched initial investigations into the coastguard earlier this year and then referred 17 members of the Greek coastguard to criminal investigation in May, including officials in higher positions, finally turning the spotlight on the coastguard's role in the case almost two years after the initial incident.
