The Dutch navy frigate HNLMS Evertsen has released 13 Somali pirates who were captured earlier this month. The European Union failed to find a country willing to put them on trial on suspicion of piracy and ordered their release on Thursday.
The pirates were kept in detention on the ship's aft deck, which was "an unpleasant situation" according to the Dutch Defence Ministry. They were released near Djibouti and transferred to their own ship, which had been towed all the way by HNLMS Evertsen.
HNLMS Evertsen was part of an EU mission off the Somali coast. The men were arrested when they attempted to hijack a merchant ship.
No takers
The Netherlands' Defence Minister Eimert van Middelkoop said he regrets that no country appears willing to try the pirates, despite EU treaties with Kenya and the Seychelles. Tanzania also turned down a request, even though the pirates were using a stolen Tanzanian ship whose crew they were holding hostage.
Mr Van Middelkoop says it is frustrating for the navy crew that they had to release the men they captured. "But this EU decision does not detract from the effective way the ship and its crew operated over recent weeks. The decision to release the captives should not reflect negatively on the men and women aboard HNLMS Evertsen. Their mission was a successful one and contributed to the fight against piracy off Somalia," Mr Van Middelkoop said.
HNLMS Evertsen of the Netherlands Navy (Photo: Wikimedia/hebster)
HNLMS Evertsen of the Netherlands Navy (Photo: Wikimedia/hebster)
Email this Article
Printer-friendly version
First off I'm glad they did not give them a free ride to the EU. After their 2 year sentence the pirates would become leaches onto the social systems there. That being said, why are they not given military tribunals. The international militaries are there to protect the ships. If the ships are attacked it should be considered an attack against the country protecting them.
What a joke! And what an Xmas treat for the pirates, or New Year treat, if they aren't Christains!
Post new comment
Please be reminded all comments must be in English, short and to the point - guideline 250 words. Abusive and inappropriate comments will be removed.