Somalia: Prisoners released from Ethiopian jails return home

MOGADISHU, Somalia- An aircraft carrying 114 Somali prisoners released from Ethiopian jails landed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Saturday evening, Garowe Online reports.

On arrival, the prisoners were warmly welcomed by Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Garad Omar, Federal lawmakers, Police officials, and their relatives at the Airport.

Somali ambassador to Ethiopia Mohamed Ali Nur, and the newly appointed Ethiopian representative to Somalia Jamaluddiin Mustafa were accompanying the released inmates returning home.

The release came after an agreement between Somalia and Ethiopian, which was signed by Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre and his counterpart Hailemariam Desalegn in Addis Ababa earlier this month.

"These prisoners include some who had been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Their release shows a better cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia," said Ambassador Jamaluddiin.

For his part, Nur has thanked Addis Ababa for the release of the Somali prisoners and praised the improving relations between the two neighboring countries.

There are six prisoners still held in Ethiopia who are expected to be deported soon and arrive in Mogadishu in the next few days, according to diplomatic sources.

Until now, the diplomats of the two countries did not provide further details on the crimes committed by the prisoners and why they had been held for years in Ethiopian jails.

GAROWEONLINE