Monday, 29th June 2009

20 to be charged over Yioham tragedy

Some 20 people, including travel agents and two policemen allegedly involved in human trafficking, are to be charged in an Indian court tomorrow over the drowning of more than 170 Indian illegal immigrants off Malta in 1996, media in India reported.

The immigrants, hailing mainly from Punjab, perished in the sea on Christmas Day when they were being transferred from the ship Yioham onto an 18-foot boat.

According to the Indian media, the policemen are also to be accused of giving the migrants travel clearances without valid documents.

A case was registered against 27 people in 1997 but seven of them have since died. The remaining 20 were on bail.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 22, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

steve elliott,uk (on 29/6/09)

According to the Indian media, the policemen are also to be accused of giving the migrants travel clearances without valid documents. Its called a BRIBE.