Francesco Schettino, the captain of the Costa Concordia cruise liner which ran aground off the coast of Italy, killing 32 people, appeared in a Naples courtroom on Thursday (January 3) on the first day of the case he is bringing against Costa Cruises, the ship's operator, for wrongful dismissal.
Schettino did not address the court. The case was adjourned until January 30.
Leaving the courtroom after the ruling, Schettino refused to answer questions from journalists.
Prosecutors have accused Shettino of causing the disaster by sailing the luxury cruise liner too close to shore.
He faces charges of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship.
Investigators said Schettino brought the 290-metre (950-foot)-long vessel too close to shore, delayed evacuation and lost control of the operation during which he left the sinking ship while many of the 4,200 passengers and crew were still on board.
Shettino has acknowledged making mistakes once it became clear that the 144,400-tonne Costa Concordia was in trouble, but has said Costa Cruises mishandled the response.
January 13, will mark the first anniversary of the tragedy.
-Reuters
