http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/02/28/Somali-man-faces-torture-kidnapping-charges-in-trial-in-Italy/UPI-25681393620059/
Somali man faces torture, kidnapping charges in trial in Italy
Feb. 28, 2014 at 3:40 PM
AGRIGENTO, Italy, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The trial of a Somali man, accused of
helping overcrowd a migrant vessel that sank in October, killing 366
people, began Friday in Agrigento, Italy, Friday.
The trial of Mouhamud Muhidin, 34 -- charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to
aid illegal immigration, human trafficking and sexual violence -- was
adjourned shortly after it began Friday, the Italian news agency ANSA
reported.
Prosecutors are relying on testimony of seven Eritrean survivors of the
vessel's sinking, who say they were tortured, imprisoned and threatened by
a gang that included Muhidin. The witnesses also said they saw women raped.
Authorities said Muhidin was nearly lynched when he was recognized within a
migrants' holding center.
Survivors previously said they were taken hostage on the border between
Libya and Chad and tortured until relatives paid ransoms. The prisoners
were then allegedly taken to Tripoli, Libya, and housed until more ransoms
were paid, after which they were taken to the ship that sank in the
Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Lampedusa, Italy.
Received on Sat Mar 01 2014 - 12:07:05 EST