33 Iranian-born fishermen imprisoned in Somalia have been released from prison.

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The Somali government has released 33 Iranian fishermen and sailors from Mogadishu prison, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA.

These fishermen and sailors are going back to their country, as announced by the Iranian Ambassador to Kenya, Ali Gholampour.

Gholampour added that the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Somalia have announced that they are ready to proceed to the process of reviving the relationship between the two countries which was severed several years ago.

He said that the agenda of both parties includes the preparation of a cooperation agreement in the field of fishing that will protect the interests of both parties and prevent the return of illegal fishing by Iranian fishermen in Somalia.

The Somali government arrested these Iranians in the summer of 2023, after they were caught off the coast of Somalia while fishing in the sea of ​​Somalia without any permits.

He was then sentenced to six years in prison, and fined hundreds of thousands of US dollars, according to IRNA.

Somalia cut ties with Iran in 2016, citing Iran’s continued interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.