We are human traffickers not pirates, suspects stun court

By Linah Benyawa

Eight piracy suspects said they turned to the lucrative human trafficking business after fishing became unprofitable.

The Somalis told a Mombasa court they were carrying weapons to protect themselves from pirates.

They also told Senior Principal Magistrate Lilian Mutende that Somalia was a war-torn country and the weapons were for self-defence.

"We are fishermen but we had left the business for a while and were doing human trafficking for those willing to go to European countries," said Ahmed Omar, one of the suspects.

But when State Counsel Alexander Muteti asked him why they were engaging in human trafficking at night, Omar said they were not allowed to do that.

"In Somalia, human trafficking is illegal and that is why we operate at night to avoid arrest," he said.

Omar caused laughter in the parked court when he said Somalia was a dangerous country and every one carries a gun even to the toilet.

Danger at high seas

"We had guns, RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) for self-defence. We are aware the high seas are dangerous and we carried the weapons to protect ourselves from pirates," he said.

He told the court they were returning to Somalia from Yemen when they were arrested. He also alleged the British Navy shot and killed four of their colleagues.

Omar alleged the naval officers detained them for two days before they were ferried to Mombasa where they were charged.

"We are not pirates. We never attempted to attack any vessel on the high seas and I wonder why we were arrested and detained for two days, then brought here where we were charged," said Omar.