[EN-SEA] Somalia - Security Contractors Kill Pirate In Gun Fight From Panama-flagged Ship

PRIVATE security contractors shot and killed a Somali pirate in a gun fight that left two skiffs riddled with bullets, raising questions over who has jurisdiction over a growing number of armed security contractors on merchant ships in pirate infested waters.

The Panama flagged UAE-owned 2,886 ton Almezaan, with her 17-man crew, was 60 miles south of the pirate port of Haradheere en route to Mogadishu when it was attacked twice by seven pirates in two fast-moving skiffs.

The Almezaan was hijacked twice last year while making the same voyage. This time security contractors fired shots to repel the first attack but when the gang came in for a second approach the guards aimed to kill.

A Wikipedia under the ship's name, said the vessel has been attacked three times by Somali pirates.

The first attack and capture took place in May 2009, when the vessel, said to be taking wheat and used vehicles to Mogadishu, was captured and taken to Harardhere. It was released on May 6, reportedly without a ransom and after it was confirmed that it had been hired by a local trader.

Wikipedia also said the second attack was November 8, 2009. The ship was held off Garacad and released on November 19, after a ransom was paid. The ship was believed to be carrying small arms, ammunition, rockets and rocket-propelled grenades, but this was later denied by its Dubai-based the owners.

Most recently, one pirate was hit numerous times with small arms fire and the attacking skiffs were riddled with bullets, reported The Associated Press.

Despite a substantial naval presence, pirate attacks have not abated and the pirates have moved farther out to sea as the number of warships increase. The European Union Naval Force said guards aboard the Almezaan when pirates approached it twice before firing broke out.

The 3,600-ton Spanish frigate Navarra arrived and found seven pirates, including one dead from bullet wounds of a smaller calibre indicating he had been shot by security contractors aboard the multi-purpose Almezaan, and not by the larger calibre weapons aboard the helicopter gunship, said the EU's Cmdr John Harbour.

Spanish forces arrested the six surviving pirates, removed the dead pirate and sunk the larger mothership. Spain said it would return the body to the Somali government and transfer the suspects to Kenya or the Seychelles for prosecution if the cargo ship's crew identified the detainees as their attackers.

"This will be scrutinised," said Arvinder Sambei, a legal consultant for the UN's anti-piracy programme. "Who are they responsible to? Somebody has been killed and someone has to give an accounting."

But Patrick Cullen, an international relations lecturer at the Barcelona-based International Politics Institute and the co-author of an upcoming book on private maritime security companies, said: "Regulating maritime security companies is a very grey area."

Crews are becoming adept at repelling attacks and many more shipowners are using private security guards. Pirates are becoming more aggressive in response, using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades at ships to intimidate them into stopping.

In Somali waters, it is often difficult to distinguish between pirates and fishermen until the boats are very close. Maritime experts have expressed fears that security guards could open fire on bone fide fishermen.

Source : HKSG, 26.03.10