Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London, UK, April 23, 2007 – A Foreign Office spokesperson today issued the following statement:

We welcome the fact that Ahmed Ali Issa, Ahmed Elmi Samater, Ibahim Jama Afkan (in absentia) and Da'ud Sahal Idleh have been tried for the appalling murderers of the Eyeington family. They have now been held to account.

At the same time, with regard to the sentence for Ahmed Ali Issa, we wish to make clear that the British Government does not support the use of the death penalty. We advocate an end to the death penalty worldwide, regardless of the individual or the crime. We have made our position very clear to the Somaliland authorities.

Press Office, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AL

Source: Government News Network (GNN)