India Takes Legal Steps Against Somali Pirates for Ship Seizure
As of my last update in January 2022, I am not able to provide real-time news updates. However, based on the information provided, I can rephrase and elaborate on the articles as follows:
India is set to prosecute 35 Somali pirates who were apprehended during an operation to rescue a hijacked vessel off the coast of Somalia, as confirmed by a navy official. The pirates are expected to arrive in India where they will face legal proceedings. This marks a departure from India’s previous approach of focusing solely on freeing hijacked vessels and releasing disarmed pirates at sea without pursuing charges against them. The specific charges against the pirates were not disclosed by the navy official.
The incident occurred when the Indian navy successfully intercepted the MV Ruen, a Malta-flagged commercial ship that had been seized by pirates in the Northern Arabian Sea on December 14. This marked the first hijacking of a commercial vessel by Somali pirates since 2017, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by piracy in the region. During their peak activity in 2011, Somali pirates caused significant economic losses estimated at around $7 billion globally.
India has intensified its efforts to combat piracy in the region, deploying approximately twelve boats to patrol the Gulf of Aden and prevent attacks on commercial ships, particularly those with ties to Israel. This comes in response to threats from Houthi rebels, who control much of Yemen, and have targeted ships transiting the Gulf of Aden in protest against Israeli actions in Gaza.
In a separate development, the Indian navy announced that it had successfully regained control of the MV Ruen, freeing its 17 crew members from captivity. The vessel, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates, was secured after a 40-hour operation involving drones, navy vessels, and marine commandos. The pirates surrendered, and the vessel was searched for illegal items.
The escalation of piracy incidents in the region has raised concerns, particularly amidst the political instability and chaos in Yemen, including attacks by Houthi rebels on ships. Recently, a Bangladesh-flagged cargo ship with 23 crew members was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, prompting international attention and efforts to address the threat.
India has demonstrated its naval capabilities by actively participating in anti-piracy patrols and deploying resources to protect ships in international waters. This includes supporting merchant vessels attacked by Houthi forces and deploying guided missile destroyers and reconnaissance aircraft for surveillance and assistance.
