Dead Syrian Boy: Two People-Smugglers On Trial In Turkey [PHOTOS]

In the dock: Alleged Syrian people smuggler Asem Alfrhad is escorted in handcuffs to his trial in Bodrum, Turkey, where he is accused of causing the death of three-year-old migrant boy Aylan Kurdi who drowned when his father's boat capsized while the family was trying to reach Europe to escape the war in Syria

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Two alleged people-smugglers went on trial in Turkey today accused of causing the drowning deaths of three-year-old migrant boy Aylan Kurdi and four other refugees.

The image of the boy's lifeless body lying face down on a Turkish beach galvanised world attention on the refugee crisis, graphically illustrating the treacherous journeys the migrants risk.

The defendants, Syrian nationals Muwafaka Alabash and Asem Alfrhad, denied any responsibility in the deaths in their opening hearing, the private Dogan news agency reported.

Instead, they blamed Aylan's father, Abdullah Kurdi, for the deaths, accusing him of organising the trip and of sailing the boat.

Frogmarched to court: Syrian nationals Muwafaka Alabash (above) and Asem Alfrhad deny any responsibility in the deaths of Aylan Kurdi – who put a human face on the Syrian refugee crisis – and four other people

The defendants blamed Aylan's father for the deaths, accusing him of organising the trip and of sailing the boat

Heartbreaking: The image of the boy's lifeless body lying face down on a Turkish beach galvanised world attention on the refugee crisis, graphically illustrating the treacherous journeys the migrants risk

Abdullah Kurdi holds his son Aylan's body as he buries his family during a funeral in Kobani, Syria

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Abdullah Kurdi with his sons Galip Kurdi, 5, and Aylan Kurdi, 3, who both died in the tragedy