Two South African Yacht Crew Members Detained After Monaco Brawl

Two crew members from South Africa, stationed on a yacht in Monaco, are currently held in provisional detention after a late-night altercation near Port Hercule. The incident, which reportedly occurred close to local nightlife hotspots at about 00:30, resulted in one person suffering injuries significant enough to require 15 days off work. The two men, aged 27 and 28, were taken into custody and recently appeared before the Monaco Criminal Court, where they sought additional time to prepare their defense, citing the complexity of the case.

During the court session, their attorney, Sarah Caminiti-Rolland, pushed for postponement to allow more thorough investigation, including the examination of video surveillance from the area starting at 21:00 on the night of the incident. She emphasized the need to hear additional witnesses who were present, as well as staff from nearby venues La Rascasse and Brasserie. Caminiti-Rolland also hinted at the possibility of filing a counter-complaint, noting that her clients, who have clean legal records and have shown exemplary behavior, might have acted in self-defense.

Despite the defense's request for release under judicial supervision with conditions like passport surrender, the prosecution argued against it, highlighting risks of evasion and reoffending. The court ultimately sided with the prosecution, ordering the men to remain detained to prevent any influence on witnesses or the victim. The trial is scheduled for September 11, maintaining the focus on ensuring a fair and uninterrupted judicial process.