Denmark, Seychelles in deal to prosecute pirates

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http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFLDE74O1RI20110525

COPENHAGEN May 25 (Reuters) - Denmark has signed an agreement with the Seychelles to enable the Danish navy operating off the Horn of Africa to hand over pirates to the Seychelles to be prosecuted, officials said on Wednesday.

Suspected pirates captured by navies escorting vessels through dangerous waters are often released after only brief detention due to governments' reluctance to bring them to trial.

"Regional prosecution of pirates is a central element in the fight against pirates off Somalia," Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen said in a statement.

"With this agreement with the Seychelles, we on the Danish side have taken a new important step to create better possibilities for pirates to be prosecuted -- and not just stopped," Espersen said.