Iran has deported 10 individuals, Somali nationals back their homeland after serving several years in Iranian jails for alleged piracy. Deputy Minister of Justice Mahmoud Abbasi said that the convicts would complete their jail term in Somalia.
Piracy along Somalia’s coast has been a menace and has bee viewed as one of the major sources of income for Al Shabaab as they would capture a vessel and seek ransom. However, piracy along Somalia’s coastline had fallen far from its peak in 2011-2012 when pirate “mother ship” boats ranged thousands of miles across the Indian Ocean.
Several foreign navies, including those from the European Union and China, operate regularly in the area as part of anti-piracy missions.
Iran is among the countries that have been operating in the Indian Ocean to fight against pirates since 2011. Its navy forces had seized boats and detained dozens of Somalis suspected to have been involved in piracy.
