French capture pirates - turn over to Kenya for prosecution

The other day I wrote about the Canadians who captured pirates, only to turn around and release them. I thought this was rather pointless, but
A commented explained the reason for this

The pirates cannot be prosecuted under Canadian law because they did not attack Canadian citizens or interests and the crime was not committed on Canadian territory.

At least the French don't have this problem.

They captured pirates who were attempting to hijack a Liberian flagged tanker. The pirates (excuse me, accused pirates)are being turned over to Kenya for prosecution.

From the BBC

A French naval frigate has docked in the Kenyan port of Mombasa carrying 11 Somalis accused of piracy.

French commandos captured the men last week after an attempt to hijack a Liberian tanker.

The Somalis will be handed over to Kenyan authorities for prosecution under a special agreement with the EU.

Pirates release M/V Faina

Finally, after 5 months, the ship carrying tanks and arms will be released.
Kenya says the cargo is theirs. I am sure there will be intense interest as to where this armament ends up.

NAIROBI – Somali pirates said Thursday that they were freeing a Ukrainian ship carrying tanks and other heavy weapons after receiving a $3.2 million ransom. The U.S. Navy said it was watching the pirates leaving the ship.

The MV Faina was seized by bandits in September in one of the most brazen acts in a surge of attacks on shipping off the Somali coast. Vessels from the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet surrounded it after it was seized to make sure the cargo did not get into the hands of Somali insurgent groups believed to be linked to al-Qaida.

A spokesman for the owners said that the pirates had received a ransom but it was far below their original demand of $20 million.

Mikhail Voitenko said the pirates were leaving the ship in small groups on boats carrying portions of the ransom. U.S. seamen were inspecting the departing boats to make sure they weren't taking weapons from the Faina's cargo, Voitenko said.

Cmdr. Jane Campbell, a spokeswoman for the 5th Fleet in Bahrain, said the Navy was not taking action against the pirates because it did not want members of other crews still in captivity to be harmed.

Plans for Kenya to prosecute Somali Pirates

Finally, a place to send pirates when they are captured, rather than just releasing them.

THE US government is understood to be nearing a deal with Kenya to detain and prosecute pirates captured off Somalia.

According to a statement issued on Friday by US Navy Vice-Admiral William Gortney, commander of the US 5th Fleet, the US State Department is now close to finalising an agreement with a partner country to prosecute pirates captured by US forces. Industry sources have told Lloyd’s List they understand this country to be Kenya.

Let's be honest, it is a problem what to do with them once they are caught.

A Danish Navy ship intercepted the Somalians in the sea on January 2 after the crew of the cargo vessel Samanyulo responded by firing flares at the pirates and a Danish navy helicopter opened fire on the pirates’ boat. The five Somalians are still on board the Danish ship Absalon.

The Netherlands will have to spend quite a bit of money to keep these pirates locked up for 12 years.

The Netherlands has signed an agreement with Denmark to extradite five Somalians held by the Danish Navy who attacked a Netherlands-Antilles cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden. The Dutch public prosecutor has started proceedings against the Somalians for piracy, a crime which can fetch a maximum jail sentence of between nine and 12 years in the Netherlands

M/V Faina Saga Continues

Update 23 Oct.
The Faina is still being held by Pirates. More from the BBC.


Oct. 1

I'm not really sure what's going on with the M/V Faina. Yesterday there were reports of shooting onboard and that 3 pirates were killed. The "spokesman" for the pirates denies that.

I had an idea that maybe they fired their guns into the air as a celebration for the ending of Ramadan, and people hearing this jumped to conclusions. It's just my guess, with nothing to base it on, so please don't quote me on this.

As far as the cargo onboard and where it's going, looks like the folks in Kenya are doing a lot of back peddling. Could be a lot of stuff has been going through their country that shouldn't be, and now they are sweating bullets (pardon the expression).


This article in the the African news is great.

Here are parts of it (if you are too lazy to click on the above).


"However, Mr Munyi denied speaking to Mr Mwangura. "I have not spoken to him and if you insist tell him to prove that I spoke to him," said Mr Munyi when contacted."

Huh?? I'm sorry, but I can't help but laugh. Tina Fey take note.

And then this....

"Mr Mwangura had also asked why the Kenyan government was silent about a vessel carrying 17,000 tonnes of salt to Mombasa that was also allegedly hijacked on the same day as the Ukranian vessel.

"The vessel was suspicious because Kenya does not import salt," Mr Mwangura said."
Well now, wonder what happened to THAT ship? Assuming of course there is such a ship.

And I still don't know when the Russian vessel the Neustrashimy will get there.
Everyone seems to be keeping a lid on it's whereabouts.