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Somalia: Piracy

Answer

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that there are currently in excess of 1,000 individuals who either have been convicted and imprisoned or are being processed through the criminal justice systems of some 20 states. Some 70 convicted pirates have already completed their sentences and have been released. In the last two years, 42 pirates in total have been transferred to other states by the Royal Navy for prosecution. In addition between April 2010 and February 2012, a total of 60 further suspected pirates were encountered by the Royal Navy during boarding operations. Following detailed analysis of all physical evidence and witness statements, these suspects were released as it was assessed that a successful prosecution was unlikely. The subsequent destruction of any pirate equipment and weapons found serves as a disruption measure and prevents their future use. Prior to April 2010, information on the number of individuals encountered by the Royal Navy who were suspected of piracy is not held centrally. In 2009, the European Union Naval Force conducted 16 disruption operations, of which five resulted in a subsequent prosecution of suspected pirates. In 2010, they conducted 49 disruption operations, of which four resulted in a prosecution. Finally in 2011, EUNAVFOR conducted 18 disruption operations, two of which resulted in prosecution. Since the beginning of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) Operation Ocean Shield in 2009, it has disrupted in the region of 500 suspected pirates, 80 of whom are being or have subsequently been prosecuted.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

15228; 735 c80WA

Session

2010-12

Subjects

Convictions Prosecutions Piracy Somalia

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk