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Two Somali youth accused of piracy returned home to their parents on Monday (August 13th) after a Seychelles court determined they were too young to sentence.

Puntland Counter-Piracy Director Abdirizak Mohamed Dirir said the two youth, Abdulqadir Mohamed, 12, and Burhan Yasin Ahmed, 11, were among 16 suspected pirates captured by marine security forces mid-January off the coast of Hafun in the Bari region.

"The other 14 captured with the youth were sentenced on July 31st by a Seychelles court to between 2.5 and 12 years in prison," Dirir told Sabahi. "These two boys were deemed too young to convict, according to the communiqué we received. They were pardoned by the judge, who ordered their immediate return to Somalia."

The children were brought to Garowe on a private plane paid for by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and handed over to Puntland forces and their parents, Dirir said.

Ahmed denied the group had been engaged in piracy when they were captured, saying they were part of the fishing community in Hafun. He said while in detention, prisoners faced harsh conditions, including lack of medical care and inadequate food.

Dirir said the release of the boys is part of an agreement reached between Puntland regional officials and the government of the Seychelles on April 18, 2011.

"The agreement stipulates that any pardoned Somalis in the Seychelles can be returned to Puntland regardless of their place of origin," he said. "The sentenced prisoners can complete their prison terms in Puntland, while the ones who have not been sentenced can be sentenced here."

This is the first time pardoned Somali detainees in the Seychelles have been returned to Somalia. In April, 17 convicted pirates were transferred to Somaliland to finish serving their sentences.

According to Dirir, the Puntland administration has sought assistance from the global community to create vocational training opportunities for youth who have quit piracy and those who might consider engaging in piracy. In May, the administration held a football tournament to inspire young people and deter them from piracy.

The International Maritime Bureau announced in July that attacks have decreased in the first half of 2012 as international naval forces patrolling the seas off Somalia have stepped up efforts to stop pirates from hijacking ships. In June, Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed requested arms and resources to fight piracy, saying the country can end piracy within a year.

Many Somali youth linked to piracy are held in foreign jails, causing great worry for their parents in Somalia, Dirir said, adding that some of the parents have no idea where their children are being held.

Ahmed's mother, Sahra Dahir, 42, told Sabahi she is happy to have her son back after eight months.

"I would tell parents to keep their children away from the sea and piracy and to hold on to them while they are in their custody," she said. She thanked everyone who assisted in getting her son back, saying how worried she had been while he was gone.