MOSCOW, June 3 - RAPSI. Russian investigative authorities have initiated criminal cases concerning the poisoning of Russian tourists in Turkey, Vladimir Markin, the Investigative Committee’s spokesman told RIA Novosti.

Several Russians were poisoned by counterfeit alcohol in Bodrum, a Turkish resort, on May 27. Allegedly, the incident occurred on a yacht outing organized by a local company for almost 70 Russian tourists. Two victims died in an Antalya hospital and one died in Moscow.

Meanwhile, several Russian citizens are still in hospital. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism promised to pay in full for the Russians’ medical care as well as for air travel and accommodation for the victims’ relatives.

Criminal cases have been initiated on the charge of “production and sale of unsafe goods, causing grave injuries and death due to carelessness”. The Criminal Code article carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Markin added that the committee is preparing an international legal demand for an investigation in Turkey.

The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture reported on Tuesday that the counterfeit alcohol which poisoned the tourists was imported from the Republic of Northern Cyprus by the Jasmin company and sold on the local market by the Ankara-based Birlik wholesaler.