According to The Times, a Somali diplomat based in Saudi Arabia has been charged in Ireland for smuggling women into the country, raising concerns over the growing sophistication of international human smuggling networks.

The diplomat, identified as Abdullatif Hussein Mohamed, 40, who served as the education attaché at the Somali Embassy in Riyadh, is accused of facilitating the entry of multiple women into Ireland between September and November 2024. He was arrested at Dublin Airport last November upon arrival from Abu Dhabi and is currently detained at Cloverhill Prison in Ireland.

The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed to Dawan TV that Abdullatif was an embassy official. However, sources reveal that the diplomat had been dismissed from his position in 2023 by the Foreign Ministry but was later reinstated due to clan pressure on the minister.

This case has intensified scrutiny on how smugglers exploit diplomatic and official channels for human trafficking, prompting calls for stricter oversight in diplomatic appointments and international cooperation to combat such crimes.