7 pirates arrested by Eunavfor sentenced in Kenya

(BRUSSELS2) Seven Somali pirates were sentenced on 6 September by Judge Rosemelle Mutoka of the Court of Mombasa, to 5 years in prison.

The pirates had attacked the FGS Spessart, a German navy tanker which was taking part in the European anti-piracy operation, EUNavfor Atalanta, on March 29, 2009 and had been apprehended by the frigate FGS Rheinland-Pfalz, after a run - pursuit involving several elements (1).

Germany did not want to judge the pirates directly even if a preliminary investigation had been opened at the Kiel Public Prosecutor's Office in Germany. The trial in Kenya lasted many months, the lawyers of the suspects having multiplied the hearings (2). But in view of the delays in judgment in Western countries, we can neither consider that this delay is long nor estimate that the procedure was expedited. The suspects pleading not guilty (3). The penalty applied is relatively modest compared to the maximum penalty for acts of piracy in Kenya = life imprisonment, the death penalty not being applicable in these cases (this is part of the agreements made between the EU and the Kenya).

This is the first judgment concerning suspects arrested by European forces and transmitted to the Kenyan authorities. Ten pirates arrested by US forces were sentenced to seven years in prison in May 2009 (4). "This is an important milestone for EU-Kenya cooperation in suppressing acts of piracy off the coast of Somaliacommented Major General Buster Howes, commander of Operation Atalanta.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

Read:
(1)  Fatal error: pirates attack a ship… from Atalanta!
(2) The trial of the SPS Spessart hackers continues 1
(3) The trial of the SPS Spessart hackers continues 2
(4) Piracy: a judgment that could set precedent in Kenya