Russian navy hands over alleged pirates to Somaliland

[Siciid85]

The Russian navy operating off Somalia has turned over seven suspected pirates to the breakaway state of Somaliland, where they will stand trial, officials said Sunday.

"The suspects were apprehended by a Russian navy ship and turned over to our coastguards in the His district of Sanag region late Saturday," local coastguard commander Mohamed Yusuf Otor told reporters.

Otor said the Russians captured the alleged pirates around two weeks ago in the Gulf of Aden.

"Once the investigation is over they will be brought to court where they will be tried," local police official Abdulahi Rage told AFP by phone from Somaliland's main port of Berbera.

Russia has been taking part in international anti-piracy efforts in the Indian Ocean since September 2008.



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