Eighty-four suspected Somali pirates being held in Kenyan prison
Eighty-four suspected Somali pirates being held in a Kenyan prison Tuesday expressed concern with the Kenyan judiciary system and appealed to the international community for deportation.
The 84 who are on pre-trial detention in the coastal city of Mombasa said they have languished in the facility for over three years with no sign of justice coming their way.
Speaking during an open day at the prison, the accused pirates said the Kenyan government had failed to grant them justice but put them through physical and mental abuse.
“We want justice to prevail as the Kenya government claims to obey human rights and justice for all,” said an accused pirate only identified as Mohamed.
Margaret Chuma, the head of the prison, said 16 of the accused pirates had been convicted and were under a rehabilitation program. She urged others to be patient as their cases were being sorted out.
The pirates said there was no justice in Kenya and the judiciary systems is not up to task in handling their cases. They want their cases to be taken back to Somalia.
“The international community and Kenya should deport us and let us get charged in our own country if they cannot handle piracy cases,” said Mohamed.
Source: Xinhua