14 Iranian, 6 Pakistani nationals say they were in Al-Shabaab captivity for years, according to police
MOGADISHU, Somalia
Police in Somalia on Sunday said that 20 foreigners are being interrogated after they said that they were in the al-Shabaab terror group’s captivity for years.
Sadik Adan Ali, a police spokesman, said in a statement that the foreigners, including 14 Iranians and six Pakistanis, were apprehended by police in the country’s coastal town of Hobyo.
He said some of these individuals were said to be abducted by the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group Al-Shabaab in early 2014, while others were kidnapped by the group in the middle of 2019 near the coast of Harardere.
“Four of the foreigners have physical injuries,” said the police statement.
According to local media, the foreigners claimed that they are fishermen and were held captive by al-Shabaab terror groups for years before they arrived in the government-controlled area as they were released by the terrorist group.
Further investigation into the individuals is currently underway, according to the Somali police.
Authorities in the Galmudug state, who spoke to Anadolu Agency over the phone, said they “rescued” the foreigners and that they are under interrogation.
The men were apprehended while traveling in two boats between Hobyo and Haradhere on Saturday night, according to the regional authorities.
In August 2020, three Iranian fishermen were released by Somali pirates after being held for five years after a $180,000 ransom was paid, according to local media.
In late 2019, an Iranian hostage was released by Somali pirates after he was in the pirates’ captivity for five years.
