- Title: KENYA: German marines hand over pirate suspects to Kenyan authorities
- Date: 11th March 2009
- Summary: MOMBASA, KENYA (MARCH 10, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF GERMAN F209 RHEINLAND-PFALZ SHIP CRUISING INTO MOMBASA PORT PILOT BOAT LEADING THE SHIP TO DOCK SHIP COMING TO BERTH AT MOMBASA PORT VARIOUS OF GERMAN MARINES WORKING ON AS THE SHIP DOCKS KENYA POLICE ON GUARD NEAR THE SHIP AT THE PORT GERMAN MARINES ESCORTING A PIRATE WHO IS COVERED IN A WHITE VEIL GERMAN OFFICER LOOKI
- Embargoed: 26th March 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA2IWVNPI9X2PTI5GT52MG8VRFM
- Story Text: The German navy handed nine suspected pirates to Kenya security forces on Tuesday (March 10), days after capturing them at sea.
Piracy off Somalia, one of the world's busiest shipping areas, has soared last year. Dozens of captures have brought millions of dollars of ransom payments for the pirates, hiked shipping insurance costs, and threatening aid shipments.
War, drought and soaring food prices have created a humanitarian crisis that aid workers say is one of the world's worst and most neglected. At least a million Somalis are living as internal refugees.
German Marines were seen escorting the pirates from F209 Rheinland-Pfalz ship when it docked at the Kenyan coast. Kenya security officials were at had to receive the pirates who were taken to police cells awaiting trial in court.
"We have 9 suspects in our custody. They were arrested of piracy in the Gulf of Aden. They were actually caught in the act of piracy," said Kenya Marine unit commandant Stanley Lamai moments after receiving the pirates.
Up to now, Germany, the United States and the other 12 countries that have sent naval vessels to the Gulf of Aden region to protect shipping have avoided legal entanglements associated with capturing pirates.
In 2008, 111 acts of piracy were reported, with 42 hijackings and 815 crew taken hostage. In 2007, there were 31 acts of piracy, 12 hijackings and 177 hostages taken. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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