US Navy Hands Over 17 Suspected Pirates to Kenya
Reuters reported that the U.S. Navy handed over 17 suspected Somali pirates to Kenya on Wednesday, taking the number of such captives in prisons along the east African country’s coast to 111.
Kenyan police say the influx of suspected Somali pirates is clogging jails and congesting local courts and they would like foreign navies patrolling the shipping lanes off Somalia to start taking captives to other countries.
International navies trying to curb piracy off lawless Somalia are often reluctant to bring suspects to their own countries because they either lack the jurisdiction, or fear the pirates may seek asylum. The European Union, United States and some other countries have instead struck agreements with Kenya to leave suspects to face trial in east Africa’s biggest economy. Some pirates are being prosecuted in France and the Netherlands.
Kenya has made clear it cannot take all the pirates and local Muslim leaders are worried the growing number of Somali prisoners could fuel tensions between the neighbouring nations. Kenya’s Foreign Minister reassured diplomats on Wednesday of their security against any terrorist attacks, saying the diplomatic police had been put on “high alert.” He called upon the international community to address the issue of Somalia since it has assumed global ramifications.
“The minister added that we are living in a volatile world and the deteriorating situation in Somalia has compounded the security situation,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
There was a bomb scare at the Norwegian embassy last week and Delta Air Lines cancelled its maiden flight to Nairobi after the U.S. government said there was a “credible threat” to civil aviation in east Africa.
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