The Danish Navy has confirmed it has released 3 suspected Nigerian pirates who were arrested during one of its frigate’s operations last November.
This was disclosed by the Danish Armed forces on Friday reported by Reuters, citing that it failed to find a country willing to take the suspects.
Reports said the suspects were aboard the frigate Esbern Snare and released with enough materials to safely reach the shore.
What the Danish military is saying
Danish Justice Minister, Nick Haekkerup said the pirates “have no relation to Denmark, and the crime they have been charged with was committed far from Denmark. They simply do not belong here, and that’s why I think it’s the right thing to do.”
Reports revealed that after the operation in November which saw 4 pirates dead, the remaining arrested pirates could not find a country willing to take them as Denamrk failed to reach an agreement with the Gulf of Guinea nations.
Meanwhile a fourth suspect, treating injuries in a Ghanian hospital, has been taken to Denmark for prosecution.
In case you missed it
Recall on November 25, 2021, the Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Esbern Snare intercepted a skiff that was heading towards several merchant ships. The pirates opened fire on a RHIB carrying members of the Frogman Corps, who returned fire, killing four pirates.
None of the Danes was injured, but their RHIB was hit. Four surviving pirates were detained and taken aboard HDMS Esbern Snare. The incident took place 25–30 nautical miles (46–56 km; 29–35 mi) south of the territorial boundary of Nigeria.
Also In July 2021, a Federal High Court in Lagos convicted 10 men under a new law designed to combat the rising piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. The suspects were handed 12-year prison sentences after they were captured in May 2020 during a forceful boarding of a Chinese fishing vessel off the Ivorian coastline and kidnapping the crew member.
