The trial of 120 suspected Somali pirates has opened in Mumbai, India. They were captured by the Indian Navy in several operations, and their charges include kidnapping, murder and waging war against India. About 60 of the suspects were arrested during an operation about 600 nautical miles off India in March 2011. The prosecution is hoping to present evidence from 70 former hostages freed in the operation who come from a range of countries, including Bangladesh, Burma, Iran, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Turkey. As the trial opened, the Indian government is believed to have received an offer from Somali pirates to release 46 Indian seafarers still held hostage in exchange for the freedom of the suspects. The European Union Naval Force has also announced that it is transferring 12 suspected pirates to Mauritius to face prosecution. The suspects were arrested during a naval intervention following a pirate attack on a merchant vessel 260 miles off Somalia on 5 January. Meanwhile, Nigerian pirates have now released five Indian seafarers from the SP Brussels, which was attacked off the coast of Nigeria on 17 December. The armed pirates looted the tanker about 65 kilometres off the Niger Delta and kidnapped the crewmembers, who have now been released unharmed. Latest figures collected by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) worldwide piracy reporting centre show that that Somali pirates hold captive about eight vessels and 127 hostages. Hostages continue to include seven Indian seafarers from the Asphalt Venture, still held captive despite the payment of a ransom. The latest incidents of piracy and armed robbery include the following: Robbers armed with knives and a gun boarded a tanker anchored in Haldia, India on 29 January and escaped with ship's stores after they were spotted and the alarm was raised. Eight robbers in two boats armed with long knives approached a chemical tanker anchored in Kakinada, India on 27 January. Two of them boarded, stole ship's stores and escaped after the alarm was raised. Several pirates boarded a barge under tow by a tug 20 nautical miles off Pulau Merundang, South China Sea on 24 January, stole goods from containers and escaped. All attacks and suspicious sightings should be reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, Tel: +603 2031 0014 (24 hours), Email: [email protected]
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The European Union Naval Force has also announced that it is transferring 12 suspected pirates to Mauritius to face prosecution. The suspects were arrested during a naval intervention following a pirate attack on a merchant vessel 260 miles off Somalia on 5 January.
Meanwhile, Nigerian pirates have now released five Indian seafarers from the SP Brussels, which was attacked off the coast of Nigeria on 17 December. The armed pirates looted the tanker about 65 kilometres off the Niger Delta and kidnapped the crewmembers, who have now been released unharmed.
Latest figures collected by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) worldwide piracy reporting centre show that that Somali pirates hold captive about eight vessels and 127 hostages. Hostages continue to include seven Indian seafarers from the Asphalt Venture, still held captive despite the payment of a ransom.
The latest incidents of piracy and armed robbery include the following:
Robbers armed with knives and a gun boarded a tanker anchored in Haldia, India on 29 January and escaped with ship's stores after they were spotted and the alarm was raised.
Eight robbers in two boats armed with long knives approached a chemical tanker anchored in Kakinada, India on 27 January. Two of them boarded, stole ship's stores and escaped after the alarm was raised.
Several pirates boarded a barge under tow by a tug 20 nautical miles off Pulau Merundang, South China Sea on 24 January, stole goods from containers and escaped.
All attacks and suspicious sightings should be reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, Tel: +603 2031 0014 (24 hours), Email: [email protected]