Hargeysa, Somaliland, September 19, 2009 (SL Times) – On Sept 14, 2009, eight pirates were returned to Puntland from Egypt. The pirates had originally taken over an Egyptian vessel but the vessel was rescued and some of the pirates were killed while the survivors were taken to Egypt. The Puntland administration which has made a lot of effort to get back the pirates, and pirates in Puntland have threatened to kill Egyptians if their comrades are not returned. It is clear the threats have worked.
The BBC reporter in Puntland, Ahmad Muhammad Ali conceded in Sept.15 that the pirates were returned because of fear of retaliation against Egyptian teachers and NGOs in that region.
Now that they got the pirates back, Puntland officials are acting as if they are not even sure that the people they got back are pirates.
Take for example the statement by Musa Gelle Yusuf, the commander of the eastern region.
When asked what is going to happen to pirates now that they are in Puntland, Musa Gelle Yusuf answered: “If it is proved that they are pirates” then they will be tried.





 

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