Dead in the Water: Murder and Fraud in the World's Most Secretive Industry

by Matthew Campbell

In his police statement, Plakakis had said he’d known the Brillante operation would be dangerous: he feared that the oil on board could explode, or cause a spill on the Yemeni coast. If that was true, MacDonald Eggers asked, “Why didn’t you warn someone about these dangers before it happened?” Again, Plakakis asked the lawyer to consider his circumstances. “I have to remind you I was in the middle of the sea. It wasn’t in a flat here in Kensington to call by police station.” “But you had all means of communication available. You could have communicated with anyone, including the insurers, or the police.” Plakakis had remained patient through most of the questioning, but now he began to get angry. “Forgive me for being rude,” he told MacDonald Eggers. “Mr. David Mockett, he knew how to communicate and he’s where he is.” He continued: “Don’t ask me questions why I didn’t do what I didn’t do . . . whatever I did was correct because I’m still alive today. That’s all I know.” Neither MacDonald Eggers nor Teare said anything in reply. On a flimsy chair at the rear of the courtroom, Cynthia Mockett was sitting quietly.