On July 1, HNLMS Evertsen, the flagship of NATO’s counterpiracy mission Ocean Shield, handed over 7 Somalis suspected of piracy to the Royal Navy of Oman.
The suspects and all of the evidence were transferred to the Omani navy ship RNOV Al Muazzar (C32).
The suspects were apprehended in the morning of Friday, 29 June when the Dutch navy ship liberated the crew of a dhow that had been hijacked. Following close consultations between the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, the Netherlands Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs and the Omani authorities, Oman decided to accept the suspected pirates for prosecution. They are suspected of hijacking a dhow sailing under the Omani flag.
The seven crew members of Indian and Bangladeshi nationality were liberated on Friday 29 June after a hunt that lasted two days. Following their liberation, the crew members spent two days on board the Evertsen to recuperate. Also on board the dhow was the body of a suspected pirate who had died at a previous stage. After consultations, the decision was made to give this person a burial at sea.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, July 4, 2012