Puntland accuses Somalia Govt of blocking transfer of pirates ‘convicted in Iran’
-
- Posted On 07-09-2015, 01:08PM
GAROWE, Somalia, September 7, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Puntland Counter-Piracy Director Abdirizak Mohamed Dirir (Du’aysane) has accused Somalia’s Federal Government of blocking piracy-transfer efforts, Garowe Online reports.
In an interview with Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe, Dirir said Mogadishu-based federal government prevented the transfer of additional 32 inmates convicted of high seas crimes in Iran.
He said, he has long worked on a plan that would have seen Somali pirates transferred over to Danish-funded prison facility in the state capital of Garowe.
Somali authorities have not responded to a plea by Iran which seeks that the pirates be extradited to complete their prison sentences in Somalia.
Puntland previously received close to a hundred convicted pirates from the African Island, Seychelles.
The piracy transfer plan is said to be waiting for parliamentary approval.
The northeastern state which was once a hotbed is boasting that it will be capable of securing key maritime routes if NATO counter-piracy operations off Somalia coast end.
GAROWE ONLINE
