Two Liberians from the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) have been sentenced to nine years imprisonment each for sexual assault by a court in Busan, South Korea.
Moses Owen Brown and Daniel Tarr were arrested in South Korea last year for allegedly raping two Korean teenagers, according to Korean police. The Liberian government has reportedly requested legal representation in South Korea to furnish them with the various appeal options available.
In a statement, the Liberian government noted that it will remain engaged with the Republic of Korea through official diplomatic channels to explore all the available options for Brown and Tarr. “The government shall continue to remain engaged with the Republic of Korea through official diplomatic channels to explore many options which may be available to Browne and Tarr,” the statement reads.
The families of the two Liberians have been informed of the court's decision, and they will be facilitated to visit the two men. According to local media reports, the teenagers who were allegedly raped by Brown and Tarr were deceived by the two men with promises of jobs in the maritime industry.
The two were detained by South Korean authorities last year, and the case has been ongoing in the courts.
