INTERPOL Registers 34 Terrorism Suspects in Somalia’s Bossaso, Strengthens Forensic Investigations

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: INTERPOL has registered 34 suspects linked to terrorism-related crimes during a special operation in Bossaso, northeastern Somalia, as part of efforts to strengthen forensic investigations and improve international intelligence-sharing.The international police organisation said the registration exercise was conducted during a dedicated action week in cooperation with the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) and Somali law enforcement authorities.The operation aimed to expand the investigative intelligence available to police agencies worldwide, particularly in tracking individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism and other transnational crimes.As part of the exercise, an INTERPOL fingerprint expert provided practical training to Somali officers on the use of advanced biometric devices designed to improve the collection and processing of fingerprint evidence.Following the training, national officers visited two detention facilities, where they conducted activities aimed at strengthening the collection of biometric information from suspects.INTERPOL said the initiative would help Somali law enforcement agencies develop their forensic capabilities while improving the exchange of criminal intelligence through international policing networks.The operation also included preparations for the forensic examination of the MT Honour 25, a vessel that had been hijacked during a piracy attack.INTERPOL specialists briefed Somali authorities on procedures for collecting, packaging and securely transporting evidence recovered from the vessel to forensic laboratories for possible fingerprint extraction.The examination is expected to support investigations into the piracy incident, although INTERPOL did not disclose whether any suspects had been identified or arrested in connection with the attack.The activities were conducted under INTERPOL’s Red Sea Project, funded by the European Union, which supports efforts to strengthen law enforcement cooperation and responses to maritime security threats.Somalia continues to face security challenges involving Al-Shabaab and Islamic State-linked militants, alongside maritime crimes, including piracy in waters off its coastline.INTERPOL said strengthening forensic capabilities at the national level would improve the quality of criminal intelligence shared internationally and support cross-border investigations.The organisation did not specify whether the 34 registered suspects were newly arrested or already in custody.