Somalia: Somaliland police arrest 'child smuggler from Russia'

24 Feb 24, 2010 - 10:57:53 AM

Security forces in Somalia's self-declared republic of Somaliland have arrested A Russian man native who was allegedly smuggled a 13 year old girl from a town in neighboring Puntland state.
The man who is said to be in police custody for questioning was arrested trying to smuggle Asha Mohamed Hassan, 13, from Qardho town, the administrative capital of Puntland’s Karkar region.
Col. Moahmmed Shil Dhidar, The acting police commandant of police in Hargeisa told reporters that the suspect wanted to smuggle the girl out of the country.
"The Russian man was trying to smuggle her out of the country but we caught up with them and now he is in our custody,” he said.
He adds, “We have already contacted the girl’s family and her mother is coming to pick her. At the moment she is living with a police family.”
He urged parents to look after their children, warning them of looming smuggling dilemma in the region.
On Tuesday, the accused was brought before a Hergeisa court but the judge postponed the hearing and ordered him remanded for further investigations.