Pirates caught red handed, but released when none would prosecute

AFTER arresting 18 Somali pirates in the midst of attacking a merchant ship, the European Union Naval Force released them after countries involved refused to prosecute.


EU NAVFOR said that after two week's of waiting, the eligible prosecuting states "either decided not to prosecute or could not provide an intent to prosecute within the required timescale," reported London's Containerisation International.


The states included the one seizing the pirates - Finnish warship FNS Pohjanmaa caught them - the flag state of the attacked vessel the Pacific Opal of Singapore and the nations whose seafarers were attacked, together with the state associated with the operating shipping company.


Under article 105 of the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) there are multiple options for prosecution, but they involve one country ready, willing and able to do the job.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)