Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – The Banadir regional court today began hearing a criminal case against seven individuals accused of involvement in human trafficking and smuggling, some of whom are linked to a tragic incident where lives were lost at sea.
The Somali Police Force apprehended the accused in various locations following an investigation prompted by information received by the Office of the Attorney General from a website. The trial commenced today.
The accused are specifically charged with trafficking young people, 28 of whom perished in the Indian Ocean at the end of last year after being abandoned at sea by those responsible for their transport. The hostages, who had been handed over to the accused, were left stranded in the ocean when the boat they were on capsized.
Following the incident, the Somali government successfully repatriated the survivors, launching a subsequent operation that led to the arrest of the men now standing trial.