Taipei: The family of an Indonesian fisherman who died on a Taiwanese fishing vessel in 2015 has reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit with the ship's captain and chief engineer for an undisclosed sum, as announced by the Taiwan International Workers' Association (TIWA).

According to Focus Taiwan, the family of Supriyanto, a 43-year-old Indonesian migrant worker, settled the case mediated by the Pingtung District Court through their legal counsel, Tseng Wei-kai. Supriyanto died from septicemia on August 25, 2015, aboard the Kaohsiung-registered longline fishing vessel "Fu Tsz Chiun," allegedly following an assault by the captain and chief engineer and a lack of timely medical treatment.

TIWA highlighted that numerous fishing worker rights groups have been involved over the past decade to secure this settlement, with TIWA itself taking on the case in December 2016. Tseng expressed relief at concluding the eight-year legal battle that began with a criminal case filing in June 2017.

Supriyanto's sister, Rusmiati, testified as a witness in court on September 26, 2024, regarding the family's willingness to settle the civil suit, as noted by TIWA. On Friday, Tseng informed CNA that the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office, which is handling the criminal case against "Fu Tsz Chiun" captain Chen Kai-chih and chief engineer Chen Chin-piao, will be notified of the settlement. The settlement amount remains undisclosed.

The Pingtung District Prosecutors Office will determine the next steps for the reopened criminal case, which was initially ruled as "accidental" in 2015. However, the Control Yuan, Taiwan's government watchdog, discovered video evidence showing that Supriyanto's abuse complaints were mistranslated and overlooked.

In one clip filmed by fellow crew member Mualip, Supriyanto stated, "The captain stalked me and beat me. It's abuse!" Based on this evidence, the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office reopened the case in December 2016, with TIWA describing the process as arduous, involving witnesses traveling from Indonesia to Taiwan.

Indictments were issued on August 23, 2023, charging the captain with negligent homicide and assault, and the chief engineer and another Indonesian fisher, Agus Setiawan, with assaulting and abusing Supriyanto. An Indonesian named Munawir Sazali, also allegedly involved in the abuse, remains at large after fleeing Taiwan, according to the statement.