8 Somali pirates to stand trial in Denmark

PanARMENIAN.Net - Denmark said Monday, February 13 it has signed a deal with Kenya to try four suspected Somali pirates held since January on a Danish naval vessel, M&C reported citing DPA.

A similar agreement was recently signed with the Seychelles to try four other suspected pirates, according to a Danish Foreign Ministry statement.

The eight were among 25 pirates arrested a month ago when a Danish vessel, the Absalon, freed 14 hostages from a fishing vessel off the coast of Somalia.

The remaining 17 suspected pirates were to be released.

“I would of course have wanted all the pirates to be put on trial,” said Danish Foreign Minister Villy Sovndal, describing the eight due to face trial as “the hardcore” members of the group.

Sovndal said security in the area had improved following the seizure of the pirates' vessel and weapons, as well as the freeing of the hostages.

The hostages were Iranian and Pakistani nationals, and had been held onboard their fishing vessel since November.

Since December, the Absalon has been deployed as part of an international action patrolling the sea lanes off Somalia.