Mohamed Abdi Hassan, known as "Big Mouth" in pirate circles, wants to bring an end to what he describes as "this dirty business" despite having made millions of dollars seizing ships in the Indian Ocean.
A notorious Somali pirate leader has announced his “retirement” from hijacking ships in High-Risk area off Horn of Africa.
“After being in piracy for eight years, I have decided to renounce and quit,”Mohamed Abdi Hassan,also known as ‘Afweyne’ (translated as ‘Big Mouth’ told reporters in Somalia in January, adding: ”From today on, I will not be involved in gang activity.”
Described as “one of the most notorious and influential leaders of the Hobyo-Harardhree Piracy Network” by the UN in 2012, Afweyne is believed to have been involved in raids that generated millions of dollars in ransoms, reportedly including the highjack of VLCC Sirius Star in 2008.According to Professor Stig Jarle Hansen, an expert in pirate networks, Afweyne has been “an exceptionally good organizer” with a key role in recruiting new pirates across Somalia.
Afweyne is believed to have been offered immunity from prosecution as an incentive to retire, and claims to have persuaded others to quit piracy according a news release.
While he did not give a reason for his decision, it is likely to be result of several factors. “The increased use of Best management Practices by commercial ships to avoid attack, combined with naval patrols and an improving situation on land”, were said to be some of factors which caused pirate leader to step down.
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