This month staff from the EU NAVFOR operational HQ visited the Seychelles to deliver a Seychelles ‘Justice Pathway’ joint exercise.
Legal advisors from EU NAVFOR and the Combined Maritime Forces, together with staff from INTERPOL, UNODC and Seychellois law enforcement agencies, worked together to establish judicial procedures for the legal prosecution of individuals suspected of carrying out acts of piracy.
The workshop consisted of both theoretical and practical sessions over several days, with elements including: evidence handling, interviewing techniques and prosecution preparation.
As part of the exercise the maritime police teams carried out a simulated boarding on a disused skiff to put into practice all that they had discussed during the table-top exercise. On the final day the participants submitted their prosecution case outline to senior Seychellois prosecutors for guidance and feedback.
Speaking on completion of the workshop, EU NAVFOR officer, Lt Cdr Fane-Bailey said, "The purpose of the joint exercise was three-fold. It allowed the Seychellois law enforcement authorities to practice their standard procedures, it gave an opportunity to train new personnel who have never been involved in the prosecution of piracy cases and provided the foundation for the Seychelles team to start their own internal training."
EU NAVFOR and the Seychellois authorities are key partners in the deterrence and disruption of piracy in the Indian Ocean.
Legal advisors from EU NAVFOR and the Combined Maritime Forces, together with staff from INTERPOL, UNODC and Seychellois law enforcement agencies, worked together to establish judicial procedures for the legal prosecution of individuals suspected of carrying out acts of piracy.
The workshop consisted of both theoretical and practical sessions over several days, with elements including: evidence handling, interviewing techniques and prosecution preparation.
As part of the exercise the maritime police teams carried out a simulated boarding on a disused skiff to put into practice all that they had discussed during the table-top exercise. On the final day the participants submitted their prosecution case outline to senior Seychellois prosecutors for guidance and feedback.
Speaking on completion of the workshop, EU NAVFOR officer, Lt Cdr Fane-Bailey said, "The purpose of the joint exercise was three-fold. It allowed the Seychellois law enforcement authorities to practice their standard procedures, it gave an opportunity to train new personnel who have never been involved in the prosecution of piracy cases and provided the foundation for the Seychelles team to start their own internal training."
EU NAVFOR and the Seychellois authorities are key partners in the deterrence and disruption of piracy in the Indian Ocean.