A 48-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to trying to help six illegal immigrants enter Britain through Suffolk.
Hennadi Kurtoglu, from the Ukraine, was charged with assisting illegal entry into the UK after he was found in a 28-foot sailing yacht with six illegal immigrants on the River Ore, near Orford, at 11.45am on April 30 following reports the yacht was struggling in strong winds.
The UK Coastguard, RNLI lifeboat crews, Suffolk police and UK Border Agency all attended. At the time, seven people, thought to of Ukrainian nationality, were arrested by border force officers.
Today, Kurtoglu pleaded not guilty to the charge through a Russian interpreter at a plea and trial preparation hearing at Ipswich Crown Court via a prison video link.
Judge David Goodin told Kurtoglu that his trial, which is expected to last three days, will take place during a two week period commencing August 29. Kurtoglu was remanded in custody.
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