The United States on Wednesday welcomed the recent conviction and sentencing of 15 pirates in the Indian Ocean island nation of Seychelles, describing it as a positive step in the united international response to piracy.
According to the U.S. State Department, Monday's sentencing was in connection with an attack on a cargo ship and the abduction of 13 Iranian fishermen who were subsequently rescued by the U.S. Navy.
Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the sentencing brought the total number pirates convicted across the world to 631, out of which 98 were in Seychelles. She noted that 440 other suspected pirates were facing justice in 21 countries, including the United States.
"We appreciate Seychelles' regional leadership on counter-piracy, as seen in their willingness to prosecute and incarcerate Somali pirates, as well as their hosting of a regional intelligence coordination center to support future piracy prosecutions," Nuland said.
"The sentencing marks a positive step forward for building a strong and unified international response against piracy originating from Somalia and for promoting freedom of navigation worldwide," she added.
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