20 Iranian hostages freed by the Sachsen. Pirates released...
(BRUSSELS2) German sailors released on Saturday (20 October) 20 Iranian sailors held hostage by Somali pirates, we learned from EUnavfor Atalanta HQ. The Iranian fishing boat had been captured by Somali pirates 6 days earlier.
On receiving the distress call from the Iranian dhow the day before (October 19), the German frigate FGS Sachsen (F-219) went to the spot. She located the dhow several nautical miles northeast of the Somali coast and boarded it. On board, the visiting forces found several AK47s, a rocket launcher and 7 suspicious people. The material was confiscated.
The suspects were questioned. But "for legal reasons", they could not be kept in detention and had to be released. The 20 Iranian sailors were able to directly receive medical assistance from the ship's doctor. And left.
Commentary: The release of the suspects
There is some doubt about the official reason. In addition to the legal reasons, there is above all that we are on the High Seas and that the law of the "attacked" flag, that of Iran, therefore applies in the first place. It seems difficult in the state of relations between Western countries (Germany is part of the 5+1 group on the Iranian regime's sanctions) and the Islamic Republic to initiate a procedure for the extradition of pirates. As for receiving the suspects in Germany, to judge them, which would be legally possible, under the terms of international universal jurisdiction, it would be even more delicate. The Somali solution is also ruled out, for lack of a prisoner transfer agreement. The only solution is therefore almost immediate release. This was also the case last week with the suspects arrested by the San Giusto (read: New net for Atalanta!).
