EUNAVFOR destroys dhow from Pirate Action Group

On the afternoon of 9 April, the EU NAVFOR Finnish warship FNS POHJANMAA destroyed a dhow-typed vessel used by a suspected Pirate Action Group (PAG) to prevent it being used in any future attacks.  FNS POHJANMAA disrupted the suspected PAG on Wednesday 6 April (link) and took the dhow in-tow pending further investigation.  18 suspected pirates were detained during this action.

Before destroying the Dhow, some of the material considered relevant as evidence in a possible future prosecution was transferred to FNS POHJANMAA.  Any material considered to be possibly dangerous to the environment was also removed.  This material will be handed over for recycling at the earliest opportunity.

The 18 suspected pirates are currently detained onboard FNS POHJANMAA. Legal negotiations regarding a possible prosecution are currently on-going.

EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EUNAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EUNAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.
Source: EUNAVFOR