Finnish minehunter detains 18 pirate suspects

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piratesbaggedmicroDuring the early morning of  April 6, the Finnish Navy minelayer FNS POHJANMAA identified a suspected Pirate Action Group (PAG) consisting of a dhow and 2 attack skiffs approximately 250 NM South East of Salalah, Oman.

The PAG is believed to have been responsible for an unsuccessful attack on a merchant vessel in the area the day before. 

piratesbagged

When POHJANMAA, which is on assignment to Eu Navor, approached the PAG, the dhow tried to flee the scene and the suspected pirates were observed throwing equipment overboard.  The POHJANMAA was forced to fire warning shots to stop the dhow.  After stopping the PAG and boarding the dhow, 18 suspected pirates were discovered and detained.  A significant amount of suspected pirate-related paraphernalia was found and seized by the POHJANMAA’s boarding team.

The suspected pirates will be detained onboard the POHJANMAA whilst legal negotiations take place regarding a possible prosecution.

The Finnish warship arrived in the waters off the Yemen and Oman coast and in the Gulf of Aden in February on a three-month mission.

April 6, 2011

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