The Kuwait Ministry Of Interior is preparing to deport 1,000 Sri Lankans who are among 17,000 illegal expatriates belonging to 22 nationalities by the end of the year. It said the ministry has applied to the Central Tenders Committee (CTC) to purchase air tickets for the deportees as requested by the deportation department.
According to the memo made by the ministry's correctional facilities directorate, the tickets requested for deportees included 4,000 to Bangladesh, 3,500 to India, 1,000 to the Philippines, 1,000 to Indonesia, 1,000 to Sri Lanka, 1,200 to Egypt, 1,050 to Pakistan, 50 to Thailand, 50 to Malaysia, 500 to Iran, 500 to China, 100 to Yemen, 50 to Lebanon, 50 to Jordan, 750 to Syria, 500 to Nepal, 50 to South Korea, 50 to Somalia, 500 to Ethiopia, 1,000 to Afghanistan, 50 to Sudan and 50 to Turkey.
Official sources at the Ministry of Interior noted that this would be the largest deportation process in any year since the liberation of Kuwait in 1991. He added that the previous record was in 2006 when 16,000 were deported from Kuwait . The sources also explained that once the tender was ready, regular flights would carry those arrested for residency law violations or other legal claims to the aforementioned destinations.
In addition, the ministry has requested special conditions to be observed in the tender, such as excluding fare differences for rebooking during different seasons, the availability of the carrier's representative or liaison officer at the deportation centre on a 24/7 basis and giving top priority to Kuwait Airways. ( Kuwait Times)
Copyright © Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sri Lankan gang in Doha gets 3-year jail term
Five Sri Lankans were sentenced to three-years imprisonment each and subsequent deportation following their conviction of stealing a safe - containing QR100,000 and other documents - from the premises of a company they worked in Doha.
According to the charge sheet, the crime took place soon before midnight of February 27 last year.
A Doha court of first instance heard that the prime suspect did not lock the door of the manager’s office on purpose "to ease the operation for his accomplices," and pocketed QR10,000 as a reward.
The four Sri Lankans transported the safe using a pick-up vehicle, driven by one of them and broke it open in the desert, the court learnt.
Confessing to the interrogators about the robbery details, the prime suspect said that he stayed in the premises until the next morning and that he was the one who informed the company’s officials about the "missing safe."
According to the court papers, the five suspects remitted the money, each separately, to their country the very next morning.
The ruling is still open for an appeal in a higher court.
(Gulf Times)
Copyright©Upali Newspapers Limited.
According to the charge sheet, the crime took place soon before midnight of February 27 last year.
A Doha court of first instance heard that the prime suspect did not lock the door of the manager’s office on purpose "to ease the operation for his accomplices," and pocketed QR10,000 as a reward.
The four Sri Lankans transported the safe using a pick-up vehicle, driven by one of them and broke it open in the desert, the court learnt.
Confessing to the interrogators about the robbery details, the prime suspect said that he stayed in the premises until the next morning and that he was the one who informed the company’s officials about the "missing safe."
According to the court papers, the five suspects remitted the money, each separately, to their country the very next morning.
The ruling is still open for an appeal in a higher court.
(Gulf Times)
Copyright©Upali Newspapers Limited.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
SLBFE Bill passed
Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament yesterday.
The UNP was against taking up the Bill for debate stating that the 54th clause of the Bill was subjudice. However Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara provided an opportunity for the Bill to be debated after refusing to accommodate the arguments and legal points raised by the UNP. The amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected by the Government.
When Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella presented the Bill for debate, Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera inquired from the Speaker whether the Bill could be debated in Parliament as it had been challenged before the Court of Appeal.
The Speaker said the Bill can be debated in Parliament without passing any opinion that would affect the matter before Court.
The UNP provided the relevant Court case number and its details to the Speaker while Minister Rambukwella gave a letter to the Speaker which was sent to him by the Attorney General regarding this Bill.
The Minister said the Attorney General has mentioned that no clause of the Bill was not in concurrence with the clauses of the Constitution.
Finally, the Speaker accepted the communique sent by the Attorney General and asked the Minister to commence the debate.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament yesterday.
The UNP was against taking up the Bill for debate stating that the 54th clause of the Bill was subjudice. However Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara provided an opportunity for the Bill to be debated after refusing to accommodate the arguments and legal points raised by the UNP. The amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected by the Government.
When Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella presented the Bill for debate, Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera inquired from the Speaker whether the Bill could be debated in Parliament as it had been challenged before the Court of Appeal.
The Speaker said the Bill can be debated in Parliament without passing any opinion that would affect the matter before Court.
The UNP provided the relevant Court case number and its details to the Speaker while Minister Rambukwella gave a letter to the Speaker which was sent to him by the Attorney General regarding this Bill.
The Minister said the Attorney General has mentioned that no clause of the Bill was not in concurrence with the clauses of the Constitution.
Finally, the Speaker accepted the communique sent by the Attorney General and asked the Minister to commence the debate.
Lankan labourer to be deported
A labourer accused of stealing BD 180 from his roommate claimed he sent the cash to his needy family. The Sri Lankan was convicted of theft and embezzlement by the High Criminal Court, which sentenced him yesterday to three years in jail.
The Judges ordered his immediate deportation after he completes his sentence.The defendant reportedly stole his roommate’s ATM card, which was lying on his bed, hid it in his clothes and snuck out of the accommodation they shared in Muharraq, in Bahrain.He withdrew cash using the pin number, which was written on the back of the card’s cover and headed towards a local bank, where he sent the cash to his family in Sri Lanka, in February.
(Gulf Daily News)
The Judges ordered his immediate deportation after he completes his sentence.The defendant reportedly stole his roommate’s ATM card, which was lying on his bed, hid it in his clothes and snuck out of the accommodation they shared in Muharraq, in Bahrain.He withdrew cash using the pin number, which was written on the back of the card’s cover and headed towards a local bank, where he sent the cash to his family in Sri Lanka, in February.
(Gulf Daily News)
Lankan fishermen should refrain from trespassing into int’l waters: Neomal
By: Shalika Ranaweera
There are 50 Sri Lankan fishermen and nine boats in custody of the Andaman Island authorities while 51 fishermen and 10 boats are also in custody in other states in India, said Neomal Perera Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources yesterday.
Speaking to Daily Mirror the Deputy Minister said that it was hard to get fishermen held by authorities in the union territory of Andaman released as it is governed directly by the Central Government. “For others we do not have a problem,” he said.
There are five fishermen in the custody of Myanmar authorities and the Ministry has made all necessary arrangements to get them released, he said. Meanwhile there are 5 boats and 21 Indian fishermen in our custody as they have trespassed Sri Lankan waters, the Deputy Minister added.
“Our Ministry had spent more than 11 lakhs in the past year to obtain the release of fishermen who were in the custody of authorities in various countries, for trespassing into those countries,” the deputy minister said. As the government has given the duty free concessions for satellite communication equipment to be purchased, fishermen should be able to monitor their course and should refrain from entering the waters of other countries illegally, he warned.
However, the number of fishermen getting caught for illegally entering the waters’ of other countries has diminished this year when compared to the past,” he further said.
There are 50 Sri Lankan fishermen and nine boats in custody of the Andaman Island authorities while 51 fishermen and 10 boats are also in custody in other states in India, said Neomal Perera Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources yesterday.
Speaking to Daily Mirror the Deputy Minister said that it was hard to get fishermen held by authorities in the union territory of Andaman released as it is governed directly by the Central Government. “For others we do not have a problem,” he said.
There are five fishermen in the custody of Myanmar authorities and the Ministry has made all necessary arrangements to get them released, he said. Meanwhile there are 5 boats and 21 Indian fishermen in our custody as they have trespassed Sri Lankan waters, the Deputy Minister added.
“Our Ministry had spent more than 11 lakhs in the past year to obtain the release of fishermen who were in the custody of authorities in various countries, for trespassing into those countries,” the deputy minister said. As the government has given the duty free concessions for satellite communication equipment to be purchased, fishermen should be able to monitor their course and should refrain from entering the waters of other countries illegally, he warned.
However, the number of fishermen getting caught for illegally entering the waters’ of other countries has diminished this year when compared to the past,” he further said.
Rameswaram fishermen migrate over issues with Lanka
RAMANATHAPURAM: Fishermen from Rameswaram have started migrating to other areas in Karnataka and Kerala due to the continuing attacks by the Sri Lankan navy.
They said they were unable to earn an income because of the attacks.
Since they could not set out to sea to fish and were apprehensive of their safety, one group of fishermen went to Mangalore and another to Kerala recently.
Fishermen here have been urging the government to restore the right to fish in the sea, without being attacked, around the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
But no action has been taken in this regard.
The fishermen say that they have been left with no option but to migrate to other States to earn their living.
Owing to loss of their income, many fishermen took their children out of matriculation schools and admitted them in government schools.
Only a few boats have set out from Rameswaram during the past few days.
Teniston of Rameswaram said that some fishermen had sold their houses to maintain their families. (Express Buzz)
They said they were unable to earn an income because of the attacks.
Since they could not set out to sea to fish and were apprehensive of their safety, one group of fishermen went to Mangalore and another to Kerala recently.
Fishermen here have been urging the government to restore the right to fish in the sea, without being attacked, around the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
But no action has been taken in this regard.
The fishermen say that they have been left with no option but to migrate to other States to earn their living.
Owing to loss of their income, many fishermen took their children out of matriculation schools and admitted them in government schools.
Only a few boats have set out from Rameswaram during the past few days.
Teniston of Rameswaram said that some fishermen had sold their houses to maintain their families. (Express Buzz)
Lankan in Aussie court for human smuggling
Two Indonesians and a Sri Lankan have been charged with human smuggling in connection with two of this year's arrivals of asylum seeker boats. Australian Federal Police said the two Indonesian men were alleged to be member of a crew of a vessel that arrived in Australia on August 29 as part of an attempt to smuggle 52 passengers into Australia.
The Sri Lankan was transferred from Christmas Island to Perth on Wednesday in connection with a vessel that arrived in Australia on April 22 as part of an attempt to smuggle 32 passengers into Australia. He is alleged to have organized the human smuggling operation.
All three men have been charged with one count of facilitating the bringing of five or more non-citizens into Australia - a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment or a $220,000 fine.
They were to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court later on Thursday, the AFP said. (The Age)
The Sri Lankan was transferred from Christmas Island to Perth on Wednesday in connection with a vessel that arrived in Australia on April 22 as part of an attempt to smuggle 32 passengers into Australia. He is alleged to have organized the human smuggling operation.
All three men have been charged with one count of facilitating the bringing of five or more non-citizens into Australia - a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment or a $220,000 fine.
They were to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court later on Thursday, the AFP said. (The Age)
Lankan sentenced by Dutch court for human smuggling
Four men, including a Sri Lankan, who were involved in a human smuggling operation that ended in disaster off Tortola’s coast in January, were given prison sentences ranging from six to thirty months, on Monday by a Dutch court. Another Sri Lankan was acquitted.
The four convicts were involved in a shipment of Haitians and Sri Lankans from Simpson Bay to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The boat Ajada, which was used in the voyage, capsized after hitting a reef off the British Virgin Islands on January 20. A passing fishing boat rescued 13 migrants, while five men, two women and three children are still missing.
Judge Monique Keppels, who had presided over the August 25 and 31 court hearings, sentenced main suspect Sribaskaran Sivanantham (45) to three years. She stated in her written verdict that she considered it proven the Sri Lankan had arranged transport of seven compatriots from Sri Lanka to St. Thomas via St. Maarten.
Sivanantham had told Court that when he was in St. Maarten he was there “to help people.” He said his price was around US $32,000 per person. From this fact, the court derived that he had not acted only for humanitarian reasons, but had tried to make a profit. He was sentenced to three years, six months of which were suspended, with two years’ probation. Prosecutor Manon Ridderbeks had asked for seven years.
Sri Lankan Gunanayagam Thurainayagam (35) was acquitted because the judge did not consider it proven that he also had acted to make a profit. The court considered it proven that he had only paid Canadian $40,000 to have his brother transported from Sri Lanka to Canada. The Prosecutor had asked for 30 months.
Terrence Williams (46) of St. Kitts and Nevis was sentenced to 34 months, six of which were suspended, with two years’ probation, for having repaired the boat that was used in the operation. The court also found it proven that he had received some US $10,000 from a co-suspect for the transport of five Lankans. Williams’ sentence was considerably lower than Ridderbek’s demand of 54 months, also because he received a two-month reduction of his sentence for having spent too long in police detention.
Olnard Jaquet (53), for whom the prosecutor had requested 24 months, received 13 months, five of which were suspended, with two years’ probation. The judge found it proven that he had been the liaison with the passengers, who received temporary shelter in his house. He had denied his involvement, but several survivors of the ill-fated voyage had told police that they had paid US $1,500 for their passage to St. Thomas. These payments had taken place in Jaquet’s house in Cole Bay. (The Daily Herald)
The four convicts were involved in a shipment of Haitians and Sri Lankans from Simpson Bay to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The boat Ajada, which was used in the voyage, capsized after hitting a reef off the British Virgin Islands on January 20. A passing fishing boat rescued 13 migrants, while five men, two women and three children are still missing.
Judge Monique Keppels, who had presided over the August 25 and 31 court hearings, sentenced main suspect Sribaskaran Sivanantham (45) to three years. She stated in her written verdict that she considered it proven the Sri Lankan had arranged transport of seven compatriots from Sri Lanka to St. Thomas via St. Maarten.
Sivanantham had told Court that when he was in St. Maarten he was there “to help people.” He said his price was around US $32,000 per person. From this fact, the court derived that he had not acted only for humanitarian reasons, but had tried to make a profit. He was sentenced to three years, six months of which were suspended, with two years’ probation. Prosecutor Manon Ridderbeks had asked for seven years.
Sri Lankan Gunanayagam Thurainayagam (35) was acquitted because the judge did not consider it proven that he also had acted to make a profit. The court considered it proven that he had only paid Canadian $40,000 to have his brother transported from Sri Lanka to Canada. The Prosecutor had asked for 30 months.
Terrence Williams (46) of St. Kitts and Nevis was sentenced to 34 months, six of which were suspended, with two years’ probation, for having repaired the boat that was used in the operation. The court also found it proven that he had received some US $10,000 from a co-suspect for the transport of five Lankans. Williams’ sentence was considerably lower than Ridderbek’s demand of 54 months, also because he received a two-month reduction of his sentence for having spent too long in police detention.
Olnard Jaquet (53), for whom the prosecutor had requested 24 months, received 13 months, five of which were suspended, with two years’ probation. The judge found it proven that he had been the liaison with the passengers, who received temporary shelter in his house. He had denied his involvement, but several survivors of the ill-fated voyage had told police that they had paid US $1,500 for their passage to St. Thomas. These payments had taken place in Jaquet’s house in Cole Bay. (The Daily Herald)
Fifty Indian fishermen killed in 2 weeks: A blatant lie, says Lanka
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Government sources said that a section of the Indian press was making a fresh attempt to discredit the Sri Lanka Navy at the behest of politicians sympathetic to the LTTE.
Sources said that this could be part of a campaign against Sri Lanka, now being targeted by several countries and a section of the press over alleged war crimes, human rights violations and suppression of media freedom.
An authoritative official told The Island yesterday that there was absolutely no truth in Indian press reports on Tuesday (September 22) that the SLN had killed at least 50 Indian fishermen in the last fortnight for crossing over into Sri Lankan waters. "This is nothing but a blatant lie," he said.
Referring to international criticism of the government, on the basis of the so-called Channel 4 execution video, the official expressed concern that some political parties in India had condemned the SLN even without verifying facts.
Responding to our queries, he said that the SLN continued with surveillance operations on the northern waters though the LTTE had been militarily destroyed. According to him, at the moment their surveillance operations were primarily directed at thwarting any attempt by LTTE cadres to flee the country and take refuge in South India. He revealed that the SLN had recently intercepted a boat carrying an LTTE operative to South India. According to him, the suspect had helped an LTTE suicide cadre to reach Colombo some time ago.
Sources said that the SLN would not allow poaching in Sri Lankan waters adding that the Indian media campaign could be also aimed at forcing the Sri Lanka Navy to ease surveillance operations. Sources emphasised the importance of blocking unauthorised movements across international maritime boundary.
Our Special Correspondent in India S. Venket Narayan on Tuesday reported that a delegation of DMK and Congress MPs had met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to protest against what they called ‘frequent attacks’ on Tamil Nadu fishermen by the SLN. They also demanded that action be taken to regain Kachchathivi island and the adjacent seas.
The SLN said that similar charges had been levelled against them at the height of the war against the LTTE. An attempt to pin the blame for the massacre of a group of Indian fishermen off Kanyakumari as well as the seizure of fishing trawler Sri Krishna, on the Sri Lanka Navy had failed, sources said. The capture of a group of LTTE cadres by Indians and sinking of Sri Krishna by the Maldivian Coast Guard had exposed the lie, sources said.
Government sources said that a section of the Indian press was making a fresh attempt to discredit the Sri Lanka Navy at the behest of politicians sympathetic to the LTTE.
Sources said that this could be part of a campaign against Sri Lanka, now being targeted by several countries and a section of the press over alleged war crimes, human rights violations and suppression of media freedom.
An authoritative official told The Island yesterday that there was absolutely no truth in Indian press reports on Tuesday (September 22) that the SLN had killed at least 50 Indian fishermen in the last fortnight for crossing over into Sri Lankan waters. "This is nothing but a blatant lie," he said.
Referring to international criticism of the government, on the basis of the so-called Channel 4 execution video, the official expressed concern that some political parties in India had condemned the SLN even without verifying facts.
Responding to our queries, he said that the SLN continued with surveillance operations on the northern waters though the LTTE had been militarily destroyed. According to him, at the moment their surveillance operations were primarily directed at thwarting any attempt by LTTE cadres to flee the country and take refuge in South India. He revealed that the SLN had recently intercepted a boat carrying an LTTE operative to South India. According to him, the suspect had helped an LTTE suicide cadre to reach Colombo some time ago.
Sources said that the SLN would not allow poaching in Sri Lankan waters adding that the Indian media campaign could be also aimed at forcing the Sri Lanka Navy to ease surveillance operations. Sources emphasised the importance of blocking unauthorised movements across international maritime boundary.
Our Special Correspondent in India S. Venket Narayan on Tuesday reported that a delegation of DMK and Congress MPs had met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to protest against what they called ‘frequent attacks’ on Tamil Nadu fishermen by the SLN. They also demanded that action be taken to regain Kachchathivi island and the adjacent seas.
The SLN said that similar charges had been levelled against them at the height of the war against the LTTE. An attempt to pin the blame for the massacre of a group of Indian fishermen off Kanyakumari as well as the seizure of fishing trawler Sri Krishna, on the Sri Lanka Navy had failed, sources said. The capture of a group of LTTE cadres by Indians and sinking of Sri Krishna by the Maldivian Coast Guard had exposed the lie, sources said.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Lankans held with fake visas
Alleged connivance between the Immigration authorities at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad and some agents resulted in five Sri Lankan nationals, travelling on fake passports and visas, being cleared at the Immigration counter on Tuesday.
Surprisingly, they were also issued with boarding passes. Four Sri Lankans and one native of Tamil Nadu were later caught by the staff of Emirates Airlines and off-loaded from the flight.
Two other members of the same group were subsequently caught at the immigration counter. According to sources, all the seven members, which includes six Sri Lankan nationals and one native of Tamil Nadu, including a woman and their 'carrier' went to the airport around midnight.
With fake passports and bogus visas, they intended to board the Emirates flight to France which departs at 4.30 a.m.
While five of them - Sylvester Samuel Raj (carrier), Panner Selvan Kumar, Raja Dorai Siva, Dasiel Solomon and Srinivasan Prakash - managed to get clearance at the Immigration counter and were proceeding for the security check, some staff of the Emirates airlines noticed some suspicious behaviour. Among them Sylvester Samuel Raj hails from Tamil Nadu and he was the carrier of the group.
They immediately alerted the security personnel who found that the documents with them were fake. As the world spread about them, two members of the same group including a woman were caught at the immigration counter. Officials said they are Venkateshan Rameshand Ramesh Jaya Chitra.
"Without connivance of the immigration staff, the five Sri Lankan nationals getting clearance at the immigration counter is impossible.
We have ordered an internal enquiry," a police official said.
A team of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) is grilling all the seven persons after which they were handed over to the Shamshabad police for further action. The sleuths are also questioning one Balaji, who is involved in the ground handling operations at RGIA issued boarding passes to them.
Sources said that this year alone, several Sri Lankan nationals were caught at the airport, who were mostly travelling to France or Paris.
"During their interrogation, many of them told us that they were finding it difficult to travel from the Chennai Airport because of the strict checks all through," sources said.
Meanwhile, the Shamshabad police picked up two agents Wajid and Sameer, who are involved in sending many Sri Lankan nationals to European countries en route Hyderabad. Cyberabad DCP (Immigration) B.V. Ramana Kumar said all Indian passports were obtained from Tiruchunapalli.
"Illegal travel by Sri Lankan nationals can be checked if Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) takes up the cases. The Cyberabad police is overburdened and our investigation might not be as effective," said an official. Express News Service
Surprisingly, they were also issued with boarding passes. Four Sri Lankans and one native of Tamil Nadu were later caught by the staff of Emirates Airlines and off-loaded from the flight.
Two other members of the same group were subsequently caught at the immigration counter. According to sources, all the seven members, which includes six Sri Lankan nationals and one native of Tamil Nadu, including a woman and their 'carrier' went to the airport around midnight.
With fake passports and bogus visas, they intended to board the Emirates flight to France which departs at 4.30 a.m.
While five of them - Sylvester Samuel Raj (carrier), Panner Selvan Kumar, Raja Dorai Siva, Dasiel Solomon and Srinivasan Prakash - managed to get clearance at the Immigration counter and were proceeding for the security check, some staff of the Emirates airlines noticed some suspicious behaviour. Among them Sylvester Samuel Raj hails from Tamil Nadu and he was the carrier of the group.
They immediately alerted the security personnel who found that the documents with them were fake. As the world spread about them, two members of the same group including a woman were caught at the immigration counter. Officials said they are Venkateshan Rameshand Ramesh Jaya Chitra.
"Without connivance of the immigration staff, the five Sri Lankan nationals getting clearance at the immigration counter is impossible.
We have ordered an internal enquiry," a police official said.
A team of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) is grilling all the seven persons after which they were handed over to the Shamshabad police for further action. The sleuths are also questioning one Balaji, who is involved in the ground handling operations at RGIA issued boarding passes to them.
Sources said that this year alone, several Sri Lankan nationals were caught at the airport, who were mostly travelling to France or Paris.
"During their interrogation, many of them told us that they were finding it difficult to travel from the Chennai Airport because of the strict checks all through," sources said.
Meanwhile, the Shamshabad police picked up two agents Wajid and Sameer, who are involved in sending many Sri Lankan nationals to European countries en route Hyderabad. Cyberabad DCP (Immigration) B.V. Ramana Kumar said all Indian passports were obtained from Tiruchunapalli.
"Illegal travel by Sri Lankan nationals can be checked if Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) takes up the cases. The Cyberabad police is overburdened and our investigation might not be as effective," said an official. Express News Service
Malaysia detains would be Lankan illegal immigrants
Johor Baharu-The Malaysian Immigration Department Tuesday detained 116 Indian and Sri Lankan citizens at a luxury condominium in Jalan Abdul Samad here who were believed to be using the place as a transit point before they headed off to Indonesia and then on to Australia.
Johor immigration deputy assistant director Muhammad Ali Abdullah said the persons aged between seven months and 50 years were detained at about 1 p.m. after the Immigration Department received information from the police. "More than 20 rooms were occupied by the foreigners, believed to be rented by smuggling agents. It is believed that three of the agents were also living at the place but they escaped during the raid," he told reporters here.
Muhammad Ali said investigation revealed that some of the foreigners came with their families via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport since a month ago. He said it was found that some had passports that had expired and some had refugee status documents from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Muhammad Ali said they would be investigated under Section 6(1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 for not having valid travelling documents and under Section 15(1)(c) of the same Act for overstaying. He said they were all sent to the Pekan Nenas detention centre in Pontian. (Bernama)
Johor immigration deputy assistant director Muhammad Ali Abdullah said the persons aged between seven months and 50 years were detained at about 1 p.m. after the Immigration Department received information from the police. "More than 20 rooms were occupied by the foreigners, believed to be rented by smuggling agents. It is believed that three of the agents were also living at the place but they escaped during the raid," he told reporters here.
Muhammad Ali said investigation revealed that some of the foreigners came with their families via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport since a month ago. He said it was found that some had passports that had expired and some had refugee status documents from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Muhammad Ali said they would be investigated under Section 6(1) (c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 for not having valid travelling documents and under Section 15(1)(c) of the same Act for overstaying. He said they were all sent to the Pekan Nenas detention centre in Pontian. (Bernama)
Friday, September 4, 2009
Dozens of maids arrested in immigration raids
Hassan Hassan
• Last Updated: August 19. 2009 6:06PM UAE / August 19. 2009 2:06PM GMT
ABU DHABI // A total of 42 people were arrested in raids in the capital targeting suspected illegal immigrants.
Acting on a tip-off that there were a number of illegal immigrants in “suspicious” flats, police carried out raids on 13 properties in different parts of the city in a six-hour operation that began last night and ended this morning.
Of those arrested, 38 were maids of African or Asian origin and four were from African or Arab countries, accused of employing or housing them.
Maj Gen Nasser al Minhali, the acting director of the Naturalisation and Residency Department, said: “A number of policewomen took part in the raids.”
Four people have been referred to the public prosecution office and are expected to appear in court.
Maj Gen al Minhali said regular inspections into suspected immigration violations would continue.
“Anyone who violates the law, who employs or help - in whatever way - someone who violates the law or infiltrates the country will be punished,” he added.
He also called on landlords to check the immigration status of their tenants “otherwise they would face legal consequences, including big financial fines”.
Maj Gen al Minhali said inspections were being stepped up as housing or employing illegal immigrants led to financial, social and security problems.
He said co-operation among different official departments as well as with the public is essential to fight this “phenomenon”.
He urged the public to increase their co-operation with police and security agencies to inform them of any violators or infiltrators to help in their crime - fighting efforts.
The penalty for hiring or housing an illegal immigrant is a fine of Dh100,000 and two months in prison. A person who hires a foreigner whom he did not sponsor faces a fine of Dh50,000.
hhassan@thenational.ae
• Last Updated: August 19. 2009 6:06PM UAE / August 19. 2009 2:06PM GMT
ABU DHABI // A total of 42 people were arrested in raids in the capital targeting suspected illegal immigrants.
Acting on a tip-off that there were a number of illegal immigrants in “suspicious” flats, police carried out raids on 13 properties in different parts of the city in a six-hour operation that began last night and ended this morning.
Of those arrested, 38 were maids of African or Asian origin and four were from African or Arab countries, accused of employing or housing them.
Maj Gen Nasser al Minhali, the acting director of the Naturalisation and Residency Department, said: “A number of policewomen took part in the raids.”
Four people have been referred to the public prosecution office and are expected to appear in court.
Maj Gen al Minhali said regular inspections into suspected immigration violations would continue.
“Anyone who violates the law, who employs or help - in whatever way - someone who violates the law or infiltrates the country will be punished,” he added.
He also called on landlords to check the immigration status of their tenants “otherwise they would face legal consequences, including big financial fines”.
Maj Gen al Minhali said inspections were being stepped up as housing or employing illegal immigrants led to financial, social and security problems.
He said co-operation among different official departments as well as with the public is essential to fight this “phenomenon”.
He urged the public to increase their co-operation with police and security agencies to inform them of any violators or infiltrators to help in their crime - fighting efforts.
The penalty for hiring or housing an illegal immigrant is a fine of Dh100,000 and two months in prison. A person who hires a foreigner whom he did not sponsor faces a fine of Dh50,000.
hhassan@thenational.ae
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)