11 Somali pirates sentenced in Seychelles
(BRUSSELS2) The Supreme Court of Seychelles on Monday sentenced 11 Somali pirates to ten years' imprisonment each. 8 were for aiding and abetting. However, they were all cleared of terrorism charges. These pirates had been captured with the help of the French frigate Floreal (1), by the Topaz, a Seychellois coastguard boat, on December 6, 2009, in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the archipelago, after an exchange of fire.
This is the first piracy judgment in the history of the Seychelles archipelago. It is also the first concrete expression of its commitment to the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean and the modification of the local penal code (2). 29 other suspects are currently incarcerated in Seychellois prisons awaiting trial or transfer to Somalia (Puntland).
(NVP)
(1) Read: 11 pirates arrested by the Seychelles Coast Guard and Floréal
(2) Read: Le Penal Code of Seychelles updates the offense of piracy ...