0
Joint Eurojust - Europol press release
The Hague, 09 December 2016
On 6 and 7 December 2016, judicial and law enforcement authorities from France and the Netherlands, supported on-the-spot by Europol’s European Migrant Smuggling Centre, took action against an organised crime network suspected of having smuggled some 500 migrants from Somalia to different destination countries in the European Union along secondary routes.
Eight suspects were arrested in France (Strasbourg, Modane, Paris) and one in the Netherlands (Geleen) as a result of this joint action.
This criminal network, composed of Somali nationals residing mainly in France and Italy, was responsible for smuggling Somali migrants from Italy to different Member States, including Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany and other northern European countries. Some of these migrants were smuggled out of Italy by means of car, train or coach, while others were smuggled directly from Africa to Europe by flights transiting via Asian countries using fake travel documents.
This operation was preceded by extensive and complex criminal investigations supported by Europol, which coordinated the law enforcement authorities in France and the Netherlands.
Italian judicial authorities carried out extensive investigations, with several suspects belonging to this network arrested earlier this year. Eurojust held two coordination meetings over the past year, and was instrumental in facilitating the European Arrest Warrant that led to the arrest of one of the key suspects in the Netherlands this week. This cooperation, combined with international telephone interceptions managed by France, led to the identification in Strasbourg of several network logistics experts.
During this week’s action days, Europol provided on-the-spot support by performing real-time analysis and cross-checks against its databases of the information and telecommunication data that were provided by the participating Member States.
For questions relating to the involvement of Member States, please contact the relevant national authorities.
For interviews and further information, please contact:
EUROJUST
Ulf Bergström
Head of Communications and External Relations
Tel: +31 70 412 5508
E-mail: [email protected]
For all Eurojust press releases, please see www.eurojust.europa.eu (Press centre)
EUROPOL
Europol Corporate Communications
Tel: +31(0)70 302 50 00
Media: +31(0)70 302 50 01
Fax: +31(0)70 345 58 96
E-mail: [email protected]
MOGADISHU — Concerns are growing among Somali intellectuals, civil society organizations, retired military officers, and democracy advocates that Somalia is entering a dangerous period of political instability marked by increasing militarization and shrinking space for democratic participation. The concerns come amid escalating confrontations in Mogadishu and reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction resulting from recent clashes between government forces and opposition-aligned groups. Full Article
MOGADISHU, Somalia – As Somalia approaches planned demonstrations on June 4, concerns continue to grow over the state of human rights, freedom of expression, and civic space in the country. Full Article
Prominent Somali investigative journalist and philanthropist Dahir Abdulle Alasow has been honored with the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year 2026 Award, recognizing his growing humanitarian impact through the international charity organization Alasow Foundation. Full Article
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkey's growing political, military, and economic influence in Somalia is increasingly drawing attention across the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region as geopolitical competition intensifies between regional and international powers. Full Article
Somalia is facing a deepening humanitarian and political crisis following widespread forced evictions, deadly security operations, and escalating tensions between the federal government and opposition groups. Full Article
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has sparked outrage after issuing strong threats against opposition leaders planning anti-government demonstrations in Mogadishu, warning that security forces would respond forcefully to any protests challenging the federal government. Full Article
The Associated Somali Journalists (ASOJ) has expressed concern over what it describes as growing pressure, intimidation, and suppression targeting independent media and freedom of expression in Somalia. Full Article
MOGADISHU, SOMALIA — Turkey is increasingly emerging as the dominant foreign diplomatic force in Somalia following the failure of political talks previously supported by the United States, the United Kingdom, and international partners, highlighting a major shift in influence inside Somalia's political landscape. Full Article
A Somali woman identified as Farhiya Abdi Mudey, also known as "HaafTurki," has reportedly been arrested in Nairobi under controversial circumstances, with emerging claims suggesting that her detention may be linked to alleged bribery involving Kenyan police officers. Full Article
A Somali IT and cybersecurity professional, Yasmin Abdi Qaraare, has become a subject of growing discussion across social media and online tech forums, as her profile circulates widely within Somali communities and diaspora networks. Her reported involvement in cybersecurity and international technology events has led many to recognize her as part of a new generation of Somali professionals working in the global digital sector. Full Article
MOGADISHU — Concerns are growing among Somali intellectuals, civil society organizations, retired military officers, and democracy advocates that Somalia is entering a dangerous period of political instability marked by increasing militarization and shrinking space for democratic participation. The concerns come amid escalating confrontations in Mogadishu and reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction resulting from recent clashes between government forces and opposition-aligned groups.
Prominent Somali investigative journalist and philanthropist Dahir Abdulle Alasow has been honored with the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year 2026 Award, recognizing his growing humanitarian impact through the international charity organization Alasow Foundation.
Somalia is facing a deepening humanitarian and political crisis following widespread forced evictions, deadly security operations, and escalating tensions between the federal government and opposition groups.
The Federal Republic of Somalia has issued a strong diplomatic condemnation following an unauthorized visit by Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs to Hargeisa, declaring the move a grave violation of Somalia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity.
Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the immediate cancellation of deportation protections for Somali nationals living in the state of Minnesota, sending shockwaves through one of the largest Somali diaspora communities in the world. In a strongly worded post shared online, President Trump stated: "Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It's OVER!" The message has triggered widespread fear among Somali immigrants and families in Minnesota, many of whom have lived in the United States for decades and built stable communities.
MOGADISHU — Concerns are growing among Somali intellectuals, civil society organizations, retired military officers, and democracy advocates that Somalia is entering a dangerous period of political instability marked by increasing militarization and shrinking space for democratic participation. The concerns come amid escalating confrontations in Mogadishu and reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction resulting from recent clashes between government forces and opposition-aligned groups. Full Article
MOGADISHU, Somalia – As Somalia approaches planned demonstrations on June 4, concerns continue to grow over the state of human rights, freedom of expression, and civic space in the country. Full Article
Prominent Somali investigative journalist and philanthropist Dahir Abdulle Alasow has been honored with the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year 2026 Award, recognizing his growing humanitarian impact through the international charity organization Alasow Foundation. Full Article
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkey's growing political, military, and economic influence in Somalia is increasingly drawing attention across the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region as geopolitical competition intensifies between regional and international powers. Full Article
Somalia is facing a deepening humanitarian and political crisis following widespread forced evictions, deadly security operations, and escalating tensions between the federal government and opposition groups. Full Article
Hormuud's Assault on African Peacekeepers Figure 14: African Peace Keepers Hormuud launched a scorching public campaign against the Kenyan military forces in AMISOM in late August 2019. Full Article
Former Intel official stripped from NISA membership Full Article
PM KHEYRE USELESS AND COSTY OVERSEAS TRIPS. Full Article
Abiy says 'New Year' will be celebrated in Eritrea, Ethiopian Airlines to resume flights Full Article
Massive rise in Islamist militant attacks in Africa Full Article
Somali migrant smuggling network in Europe dismantled
Eight suspects were arrested in France (Strasbourg, Modane, Paris) and one in the Netherlands (Geleen) as a result of this joint action.