Man Goes on Trial in Mass Drowning Case
A suspected people smuggler went on trial in Egypt, charged with manslaughter in the deaths of more than 350 people, mainly Afghans and Iraqis, who drowned when a boat taking them from Indonesia to Australia sank in 2001.
Indonesia, which lacks laws against trafficking in humans, arrested an Egyptian, Mootaz Mohammed Hasan, also known as Abu Quassey, in November 2001 on suspicion of organizing smuggling trips to Australia. He was jailed for visa violations.
Indonesia said in February it would extradite him to Egypt after turning down an Australian request for his extradition.
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