It has been confirmed that the Spanish judicial authorities will prosecute the six Somali suspected pirates, who attacked the EU NAVFOR Flagship, the ESPS PATINO on 12 January. Following receipt of the evidence package, the Spanish Audiencia Naciona has confirmed it will undertake judicial proceedings. The suspected pirates will be transferred from the Flagship ashore for onward movement to Spain.
The suspects attacked the ESPS PATINO in the vicinity of Mogadishu following the successful escort of a World Food Programme ship carrying humanitarian-aid into Somalia and attempted to climb onboard having fired light-calibre weapons into the superstructure. The embarked detachment of Spanish Marines returned fire in self-defence and the ship’s Seaking helicopter was launched to track the skiff and the occupants surrendered.