EU/Seychelles - piracy

Seychelles to try suspected Somali pirates

Article published on the 2010-02-08 Latest update 2010-02-08 17:32 TU

The Seychelles
(Photo: bora77)

The Seychelles has agreed to try suspected Somali pirates after a deal with the European Union. The Indian Ocean islands will temporarily accommodate suspects before they are transferred home to serve any sentences.

It will begin to help in the fight against piracy once it’s only prison is fully renovated in around six months.

“We’re establishing a special court here, with the financing and help of our partners,” Joel Morgan, the Seychelles Environment, Natural Resources and Transport Minister told RFI.

“We’ll effectively be in a position to try suspected pirates that we agree are brought to the Seychelles,” he added.

The islands had to update their “old British colonial law” and bring it into line with UN conventions in order to provide a system of justice.

They are currently holding eleven pirate suspects, captured in December 2009 by the country’s coastguard.

With increasing navy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, pirates have extended their reach into the Indian Ocean.