Suspected pirates handed over to police

Thirteen suspected pirates arrested in Somalia by the Spanish Navy have been handed over to Kenyan authorities for prosecution.

They arrived aboard Spanish ship Marques de la Ensenada, on Saturday morning.

This brings to 87 the number of suspected pirates in Kenya's custody.

It is also the largest batch of suspects brought in so far.

Captain Jonathan Funa of the Philippines cargo ship, MV Safmarine Bandama, examines parts of the damaged vessel in Mombasa yesterday. Somali pirates attacked the ship 780 nautical miles east of Mogadishu. [PHOTO: OMONDI ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Another ten suspected pirates had their appeal against a seven-year jail term quashed by the High Court.

Coast Provincial Criminal Investigation Officer Nyagah Reche received the suspects at Mbaraki wharf, where the ship docked.

Also present was the Spanish Ambassador to Kenya, Mr Nicholas Martin Cinto. Two boats, which the suspects were using, were recovered.

Sources told The Standard that following the capture, the Spanish Navy had found itself in an awkward position due to protocol.

It is mandatory for Spanish sailors to transfer piracy suspects to Spain to face prosecution, but the navy had to bring them to Mombasa instead.

The suspects, wearing blue overalls, were led to waiting Kenyan police vehicles by Spanish Navy marines.

Each carried a box with a number inscribed on it. They are expected to appear in court tomorrow.

encounter with bandits

Elsewhere, the crew of a Philippines ship narrated a 45-minute hijack drama with Somali pirates.

The sailors of Mv Safmarine Bandama ship told how they fought with pirates on their voyage to Kenya in Mombasa, yesterday.

The captain, Mr Jonathan Funa said they were attacked by nine pirates 780 nautical miles east of Mogadishu.

"The pirates were armed with a rocket propelled grenade and some AK47 rifles which they tried to shoot at us," he said.

The vessel had 21 crew on board.

Meanwhile, a joint patrol along the Kenyan-Tanzanian Indian Ocean waters has been proposed.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Zanzibar President Abeid Amani Karume said commercial ships have been forced to divert for more than 6,000 nautical miles to avoid being hijacked.

"Piracy is affecting the performance of our economy. We are requesting that Kenya and Tanzania participate in joint naval activities," said President Karume during a meeting with Kalonzo in Zanzibar.

"We are concerned as a country and every effort must be put in place to deal with piracy," Kalonzo said.

http://www.eastandard.net/news/InsidePage.php?id=1144014496&cid=159&

By Philip Mwakio, Linah Benyawa and VPPS