Moldovan dancer says prove if 'lingerie found in Costa Concordia captain's room had her DNA'

Birmingham Star (ANI) Thursday 9th February, 2012

A Moldovan ballet dancer, who was allegedly dining with the captain of Costa Concordia before the Italian luxury cruise ship capsized, has denied claims that she was his lover, and rubbished reports suggesting her lingerie was found in his cabin on the night of disaster.

Last week, divers found the clothing, lingerie and a beauty case, belonging to Domnica Cemortan, 25, when they searched Francesco Schettino's cabin.

Cemortan also reportedly told investigators last week she was "in love" with Captain Schettino.

She, however, denied both claims in an interview with an Italian magazine, Oggi, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"They are all lies. I wasn't born yesterday. The information was put out to put pressure on the captain. They want to isolate him, even from his family," the paper quoted Cemortan, as saying.

"I never said to magistrates 'I love Schettino'. They say they've found my bikini in his cabin. What have they found on this bikini that connects it to me? Was my name written on it, was there my photograph, or my DNA?" she added.

Meanwhile, an Italian magazine, Chi, published Schettino's picture enjoying a sea food meal with Cemortan in a restaurant in France a month before the luxury liner ran aground off the Italian coast.

Cemortan had earlier defended Schettino and the crew's actions throughout the tragedy claiming they had successfully saved thousands of lives, and called the captain a 'hero'. (ANI)