BNS Louise Marie apprehends suspected pirates

BNS Louise Marie, the Belgium Frigate used by the EU Navel Force, has apprehended three men believed to be pirates.  This is the second time in recent weeks that BNS Louise Marie has apprehended suspected pirates; just 12 days ago five men were detained by BNS Louise Marie on suspicion of piracy on the Somali coast.

The naval warship is part of Operation Atlanta;the ship has monitored the seas off the Horn Of Africa in recent weeks to protect vessels from acts of piracy.  Operation Atlanta is part of the European Union's efforts to counteract piracy in Somalia.

Details of the event have only just been made available, however, the incident occurred on the early hours of December 27.  The suspect skiff was first spotted 400 miles off the Somalia coast by a Swedish EU NAVFOR maritime patrol aircraft.

Once the three men were apprehended, evidence was collected and the men were later taken ashore to a Somali beach.

Commenting in  a news release, Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi, the Deputy Operation Commander of the EU Naval Force, said:

“EU Naval Force’s continued vigilance over this period has paid dividends.  BNS Louise Marie’s crew was able to quickly locate these men, and with reasonable grounds to suspect piracy, quite rightly took away their equipment that they may have used to prey on ships at sea.  The EU always seeks, where possible, a legal finish, however, this time, whilst there were reasonable grounds to suspect piracy, it was felt that there was insufficient evidence to secure a prosecution.  The European Union’s intent is clear - to be tough on piracy, whilst helping Somalis to regain peaceful control of their own country”.