The captain convicted in the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster has applied for early release, sparking anger from some victims’ families.
The 2012 incident claimed a total of 33 lives and injured dozens.
It also led to a number of cruise industry operational and safety changes.
Francesco Schettino has applied for ‘semi-liberty’ which is available to prisoners who have served half their sentence with a good behavior record.
Schettino was convicted of dereliction of duty, manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning passengers. he was given a 16-year sentence. The petition will be heard in a March court hearing.
Schettino was widely criticised for his actions, particularly for abandoning the ship with guests still aboard.
He navigated the ship out of port too close to shore and it hit a submerged rock.
It left a huge hole in the hull which knocked out all power and caused the vessel to list.
Costa Concordia was carrying more than 4,000 guests and crew at the time.
