Dutch Warship Hands 7 Pirate Suspects to Omani Navy
Source: Netherlands Ministry of Defense
HNLMS Evertsen, the flagship of the NATO counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield, today, handed 7 of Somali piracy suspects over to the Navy of Oman. The suspects and evidence were handed to the Omani warship Al RNOV Muazzar (C32).
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HNLMS Evertsen Hands Over Suspect Pirates Phot: Wikipedia
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The suspects were intercepted on Friday June 29, when the Dutch navy ship crew freed a hijacked dhow.
In close consultation between the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs and the Omani authorities, the Gulf state decided to accept the suspected pirates to take over for prosecution. They are suspected of hijacking an under Omani-flagged dhow.
FREED CREW
HNLMS Evertsen freed a dhow last Friday and the Bengali Indian crew held hostage, after a 2 day hunt. After the intervention, the crew spent two days aboard the Evertsen to regain their strength. Discovered on board the dhow was a deceased suspected pirate. Following consultations yesterday, it was decided to bury the body at sea.
OMAN
Once the freed crew were rested, the NATO staff got in touch with the Omani navy. This morning, Evertsen made rendezvous with the Omani warship Al Muazzar. Under the supervision of the Al Muazzar, the dhow and its crew set sail for home. "Obviously we are here because of the importance of shipping routes for the global economy," said Commodore Ben Bekkering, commander of the NATO fleet. "But the joy on the faces of the freed crew in an equally beautiful picture as container ships arriving in Rotterdam."
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