Somali Nationals Deported/Repatriated from Seychelles Following Piracy Cases
THE SEYCHELLES Minister for Home Affairs requested the Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Somalia, to agree and accept the deportation from the Republic of Seychelles and repatriation to the Federal Republic of Somalia of nine (9) persons following piracy cases.
In a document seen by OCEANUSLive staff which stated that seven of the named individuals were each convicted of piracy on 18 February 2014 (Supreme Court Case 16/2013). However, their convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal on 28 August 2015 (Appeal Court Case No. SCA 31-37/2014).
One individual was convicted of piracy on 23 July 2013 (Supreme Court Case 54/2012). However, his conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal on 28 August 2015 (Appeal Court Case NO, SCA 19/2013).
Another individual was convicted of piracy on 13 March 2015 (Supreme Court Case 73/2013) and had completed his sentence on 9 November 2015.
The Government of the Republic of Seychelles confirmed that:
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Each person to whom the request related was a national of the Federal Republic of Somalia, or a person with close cultural, linguistic or other ties to the Federal Republic of Somalia;
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Eight persons to whom the request related were acquitted of piracy, following a hearing before the Court of Appeal of the Republic or Seychelles; the ninth person to whom the request related had completed his prison sentence.
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No other legal proceedings relating those or any other offences committed by the persons to whom the request related were pending;
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No person to whom the request related had any legal right to remain in Seychelles;
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Each person to whom the request related consented to their deportation and repatriation.
The Government of the Republic of Seychelles and the Federal Republic of Somalia agreed that the Government of the Republic of Seychelles with the support of UNODC arranged for the transportation of each person to whom the request related from its territory to the territory of the Federai Republic of Somalia, on the following terms and conditions:
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The Government of the Republic of Seychelles with the support of UNODC made arrangements for the transportation of each person to whom the request related to be transported to the territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia by air on Tuesday 8 December 2015 on a specially chartered aircraft. the flight details of which were provided by UNODC;
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The Federal Republic of Somalia was to accept each person to whom the request related;
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Upon landing, the Federal Republic: of Somalia was to confirm to the Government of the Republic of Seychelles, in writing. about the arrival.
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No person to whom the request related has any claims whatsoever against the Government of the Republic of Seychelles.
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Each person to whom the request related was to be free and at liberty following their repatriation to the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Copies of the signed consent forms for deportation and repatriation were dispatched.
A letter countersigned by the Minister for Home Affairs and the Attorney General of the Republic of Seychelles, confirming acceptance constituted an agreement to undertake and accept the repatriation of the named persons.
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