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ingaporean Choo Chiau Huat, 50, the captain of a fishing vessel arrested in Indonesian waters, in April, demanded that the court acquit him of all charges, claiming that he had been operating a boat owned by a tour operator and not a fishing boat on the day of his arrest.

Choo was arrested while allegedly taking seven Singaporean tourists and six Malaysia tourists out to fish in Bintan waters. The vessel was flying a Malabo flag, a city in Africa.

The tourists were deported a few days after undergoing questioning by the Indonesian Navy.

Choo’s demand was conveyed through his lawyer, Harjo, during a hearing at the Tanjung Pinang Fishery Court on Thursday.

“We ask the panel of judges to free our client because the charges are unfounded,” Harjo told the court.

Choo’s other lawyer, Herman Black, said that prosecutors were not able to prove his charges. While in Indonesian waters, he said, only 20 fish were found on the vessel.

Prosecutors are seeking two years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rp 1.5 billion, or an additional six months in prison for Choo.