Kenya picked second country to assist EU in prosecuting maritime suspects

European Union (EU) has picked Kenya as the second country after Seychelles in the Horn of Africa and in the Western Indian Ocean to accept and prosecute suspects of maritime crimes.

This means, any suspected pirate, illegal fishers, human and drug trafficking suspects arrested by the European Union naval force (EU Navfor) will be handed over to either Kenyan or Seychelles authorities for trial and prosecution.

European Union ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger, Spanish Ambassador Christina Diaz and her Italian counterpart Roberto Natali said Kenya will assist Seychelles in handling maritime crimes suspects due to the increasing maritime cases reported.

The ambassadors said the force cannot hold suspects for long in the naval against international maritime laws and the rights of the suspects.

Speaking at the port of Mombasa on behalf of the delegation, Geiger said maritime security is a concern as it has led to losses and disruption of trade and the EU will work with different governments to suppress insecurity in the waters.

Geiger, during the closure of practical marine training between Kenya and different EU Nation forces, said EU Navfor will extend its presence in different areas where piracy, narcotics human trafficking and other crimes are reported.

"EU Navfor Somalia managed to suppress piracy in its previous years but with the current operation Atalanta, the forces will work with different governments to address emerging piracy and the illegal group at the Suez Canal," said the ambassador.

The EU raised concern over increasing cases of maritime insecurities in Somalia and at the Suez Canal by Yemen's Houthis.

Geiger said although the current threat by Somali piracy is classified as moderate off the Somali Coast, the attacks by Houthis have remained the biggest worry resulting in the rerouting of the vessels to take the longest route of more than 1,300 kilometers Southern of Africa.

"Seychelles has played a key role in handling suspects arrested in the waters and now Kenya will be another country which EU has entered a legal agreement with to allow for the trial of suspected pirates arrested by warships," said the ambassador.

This month, six suspected pirates were handed over to the Seychelles authorities for trial by EU Navfor's Operation Atalanta, allegedly from Somalia who were involved in the piracy attack on the Marshall Islands-flagged Merchant Vessel Chrystal Arctic on May 10.

Operation Atalanta has legal agreements with Seychelles, which allows for the trial of suspected pirates arrested.

There have been growing concerns over a resurgence of Somali piracy with EU Navfor saying that two or more pirate action groups are active in the area of Socotra Island and 500nm East of Socotra in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden.

The Commanding Officer of the ship, Rear Admiral Francesco Saladino said Atalanta remains committed to supporting the country in the prosecution of the case until it goes to trial.

"Atalanta has a legal finish with countries it operates within their territories which guarantees the entire process within piracy events from deter, arrest, detention, and prosecution in accordance with international law," said Saladino.

Piracy, although largely suppressed, has not yet been eradicated. Criminal networks associated with piracy have diversified their activities and reoriented their activities towards other maritime crimes, such as the illicit trade of weapons and human trafficking.