- The German Navy has handed over nine more suspected Somali pirates who were captured in Gulf of Aden to Kenyan police for trial. The nine were arrested last week when they tried to attack a merchant ship owned by a German company.
The hand over which brings the total number of suspects handed to Kenyan authorities to 24 comes just five days after seven other suspects were brought into the country by the United States navy.
Kenyan marine police commandant Stanley Lemai said the suspects were caught red handed by security agents patrolling the Indian Ocean, also saying they were in possession of heavy artillery including rocket propelled grenades.
Mr Lemai said the suspects will be taken to court immediately after interpreters are found, adding that the Germany's Foreign Ministry has agreed to file charges of attacking shipping traffic.
The nine who were arrested March 3 after they attacked the Hamburg-based MV Courier cargo ship. They were taken to Kenya under an agreement allowing European nations to bring suspected pirates to the East African nation for prosecution.
Mr Lemai said the suspects would probably appear in court either Tuesday or Wednesday after a charge sheet has been prepared. "The suspects cannot speak English and there are procedures to be followed as we carry out investigations," he added.
According to local news reports, there are already nine pirates serving a seven year sentence at the Shimo La Tewa prison but who have filed an appeal at the high court, while eight others arrested late last year are being tried for the crime at a Mombasa court.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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