Seychelles prisoners repatriation programme to Somalia
As part of the continuing programme to return convicted in the Seychelles Somali pirates to Somalia, a group of eight Somali pirates were repatriated to Puntland, Somalia.
Departing from Mahé, Seychelles to Puntland, the transferred prisoners were flown aboard an IDC chartered plane under escort provided by specially trained police officers. The convicted pirates were successfully handed over to Puntland authorities to serve out the remainder of their sentences in Basaso Prison, Puntland.
The operation to repatriate the prisoners was made possible by extensive diplomatic efforts between the Seychelles Government and the Puntland Authorities and it was carried out without incident.
Minister Joël Morgan said of this latest transfer, “This occurred at the very moment that I was in London delivering a message to the secondLondon Conference on Somalia on behalf of President Michel. We expressed a desire to see peace and stability throughout Somalia, with Seychelles pledging to help Somalia by offering assistance in the domain of fisheries management. Returning those prisoners who have been under our custody following their conviction, under a United Nations sponsored progaramme for repatriation, demonstrates clearly our resolve that Somalis that have been convicted of piracy charges here must return to Somalia to continue to serve the remainder of their sentences.”
Puntland Minister for Justice Abdikalif Sheik Hassan, when visiting the Seychelles in March this year expressed his government’s appreciation in the way Seychelles was handling the piracy situation and conveyed his interest to strengthen the relationship between Seychelles and Puntland, Somalia.
It should be mentioned that the minister had visited Seychelles after a group of twenty five (25) convicted Somali pirates had been transferred back to Puntland to serve out their sentences.
It is expected that another group currently incarcerated at the Montagne Possée Prison will be transferred towards the end of May 2013.
The IDC flight crew and police escorts returned safely to Seychelles the same day.
Source: Oceanus Live
