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Friday 04 Mar 2016 - 19:05 Makkah mean time-24-5-1437
(Image from EPA)
Istanbul, (IINA) - A Turkish court sentenced two Syrian men on Friday to four years and two months in jail on smuggling charges in connection to the death at sea of 3-year-old Alan Al-Kurdi and four others, DPA reported.
Images of the Syrian toddler's lifeless body lying face down on a Turkish beach stunned the world and focused attention on the plight of refugees and migrants escaping war and other hardships.
The pair were acquitted of the more serious charges of negligent homicide in the deaths of Alan, his mother, brother, and two others. They can still appeal the court's verdict.
The five people perished in early September while attempting the risky sea crossing between western Turkey and Greece, a route often used by refugees trying to reach safety in Europe.
Alan was buried along with his relatives in the Syrian-Kurdish border town of Kobane, which had earlier been under siege by ISIS.
The boy's father, Abdullah, was the only member of the family to survive, and he has spoken out about the need to better protect refugees.
According to UN figures, more than 100,000 migrants have arrived on Europe's shores by sea since the start of the year. An estimated 2,000 people arrive daily. There have been more than 400 deaths at sea in the past two months alone.
It is noteworthy that EU officials and Turkish leaders are set to meet next week in the latest installment of high-level meetings and summits meant to help stem migration to the bloc.
AG/IINA
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