France seeks Seychelles' help in trying suspected Somali pirates

French Defense Minister Herve Morin asked Seychelles authorities Sunday to prosecute suspected pirates operating in the Indian Ocean. Bringing to justice suspected Somali pirates captured by international navies in the Indian Ocean has proven difficult as lawless Somalia cannot try them, while most European countries do not want to take in a suspected pirate who may then claim asylum. This month, 11 suspected pirates were captured after they tried to attack French tuna boats. The Somalis were released shortly afterward due to a lack of evidence.

On a trip to the Seychelles, Morin told reporters he had asked authorities to set up a legal system allowing for the trial of such suspects. But Joel Morgan, the Seychelles minister in charge of environment, resources and transport, said the island lacked the resources. "We have a single prison here, for some 300 people, so taking in a large number of Somalis can cause problems with capacity," he said. France is protecting its tuna fleet off the Seychelles by deploying marines on the civilian ships. Morin said that mission would be extended into next year.