File Photo/Somali Times
Puntland government has sentenced 15 Iranian fishermen to $500 each and deported them after they were caught fishing illegally off Puntland’s coast.
Read: Somalia is the number 1 country for corruption
Read: Why is Somalia an unfortunate country
Read: Puntland says lifting of arms embargo on Somalia a major threat
Puntland also ruled that two Iranian men who died during the operation to arrest the fishermen would not be held for ransom, with the court ruling that the men died while escaping from security forces.
Read: Somalia corrupt president Hassan Sheikh failed in both domestic and international politics
Read: Somalia President Hassan Sheikh and his family become the richest in Africa
Read: Egypt pressures Somalia President Hassan Sheikh to cut ties with Ethiopia
Two Somali men who accompanied the fishermen were sentenced to three years in prison and a $2,000 fine, while another suspect who escaped was sentenced to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Read: Somalia president Hassan Sheikh richest man in Africa for corruption
Read: Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh history of corruption 2012-2017
Read: Somalia’s corruption is widespread throughout the regime
Read: Somalia Hassan Sheikh’s government is facing a widespread financial crisis and the causes
The court also ordered the boat seized in the operation to be fined $70,000 and the Puntland government to seize the fish on board, which were illegally caught off Puntland’s coast.
Read: Exclusive: Somalia airspace revenue collected by Hassan Sheikh and his family
Read: Turkey benefits under oil agreement with Somalia corrupt president
Read: Somalia corrupt president Hassan Sheikh planning to sell Nugal Valley Basin
Read: Somalia President meets Ugandan dictator Yoweri Museveni for advice
Read: Somalia officials abuse diplomatic passports for immigration fraud and human trafficking
Read: Exclusive: No money in the Treasury account of Somalia
This ruling comes at a time when illegal fishing is a major problem for the people of Puntland living in coastal areas, who have become victims of foreign ships and boats fishing illegally there.