Minister for Africa welcomes conviction of Somali Pirates in Seychelles
Minister for Africa Henry Bellingham said that such prosecutions demonstrate there will be serious consequences for the actions of pirates.
皇冠体育app nine Somalis were sentenced to 22 years in prison for attacks on a Seychellois fishing boat and an Iranian dow off the Seychelles in March this year. 皇冠体育app pirates boarded both vessels and took a number of hostages. 皇冠体育appy were tracked down by aircraft under the command of the European Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) who directed a Seychelles coastguard ship on to the target. 皇冠体育app coastguard subsequently recaptured the vessels following an exchange of gunfire with the pirates.
All the hostages were freed unharmed.
Speaking after the conviction, Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham said:
鈥淚 would like to congratulate the Seychelles for securing this prompt conviction. Such prosecutions demonstrate to the pirates that there will be serious consequences for their actions. It is also a good example of how the international community can work together to tackle this issue. 皇冠体育app cooperation between the Seychelles coastguard and EUNAVFOR continues to prove very effective.鈥�