Criminal charges could be laid against three asylum seekers accused of deliberately lighting a fire that resulted in the drowning deaths of five Afghans.
The five men were among 40 people blown off a boat, known as the SIEV 36, when it exploded near Ashmore Reef in April last year.
Northern Territory coroner Greg Cavanagh, after hearing closing remarks at a Darwin inquest on Thursday, indicated he may consider referring the matter on to police.
"Should I form the belief that a crime was committed I think I should. "I only have to have a reasonable belief for me to refer it back.
"Then it would be up to the authorities as to what action they took.
"It's a matter for them." Counsel assisting the coroner Stephen Walsh QC told the coroner that, as a result of a misunderstanding that they would be sent back to Indonesia, it was likely three of the asylum seekers were acting in concert to implement a plan to sabotage the boat.
"The explosion was caused by a series of deliberate acts," he said.
Many of the people who were injured in the explosion have since been granted visas in Australia.
It is understood that any asylum seeker found to have committed a crime will have their visas revoked. Two of the Indonesian crew on board the SIEV 36 are currently serving prison sentences in Australia for people smuggling.
In late October last year Mohammad Tahir and a man known only as Beny, both of whom gave evidence during the inquest, were sentenced to five years' jail, with a non-parole period of three years.
Closing submissions for the month-long inquest continue.
Share
