With the Seychelles Coast Guard, develop the collection of evidence

(BRUSSELS2) Taking advantage of its stopover in the Seychelles, the BPC Tonnerre - which is taking part in the EU's anti-piracy operation - and the Seychelles Coast Guard carried out a joint exercise on Friday (April 26), as part of the European Maritime Capability Building Mission in the Indian Ocean (EUCAP Nestor).

At stake: the (fictitious) interception of a skiff of suspected pirates in Seychelles waters, jointly arrested by the Topaz, the coast guard ship, and a helicopter from the Tonnerre navy.

Objective of the maneuver: to strengthen coordination and cooperation between the Seychelles Coast Guard and European forces, and to train the coast guard in the procedures for handling evidence, at the international level. EUCAP Nestor is currently developing a manual with the Seychelles Coast Guard on evidence handling procedures. And European experts were on board the Topas to clarify " provide advice on dealing with suspected pirates and collecting evidence on the skiff “We specify at the HQ of Atalanta.

NB: the collection and preservation of evidence is one of the main problems faced by the multinational anti-piracy forces deployed off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean when it comes to wanting to bring to justice pirates arrested in sea, whether in flagrante delicto or in prevention.