While there is a huge buzz in the maritime world regarding the ‘return of the Somali pirates’, Somalia’s ambassador, Gamal Mohamed Hassan, who recently visited Kenya has demanded to repatriate around 100 imprisoned Somali pirates as the living conditions in the ‘Shimo La Tewa’ prison are poor. The Somali prisoners were convicted for hijacking vessels in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.
According to reports, there are more than 1,000 incarcerated Somalian pirates throughout the world. Some have been already convicted while others are awaiting prosecution. In July, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) approved the repatriation of 62 Somali pirates detained in Kenya as part of its Piracy Prisoner Transfer Program. UNODC has detention facilities in Puntland and Somaliland to facilitate prisoner transfers.
“We have asked the Kenyan government to hand over them to us and finish their terms in their homeland. We hope that the process and deal can be reached in the next coming two weeks,’’ Gamal said in an interview with the BBC Somali Service.
Source: Horseed Media
