Seychelles to prosecute four pirates

Copenhagen, April 30 (IANS) Denmark has reached an agreement with the Seychelles to prosecute four Somali pirates held on board a Danish warship, the Danish foreign ministry said.

Sixteen suspected pirates were detained by the warship Absalon, which is part of a NATO-led anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, following a security mission April 11.

"I am very glad that Denmark was able to put 16 pirates out of action and that with the current agreement with Seychelles, we are fortunate to ensure that four of the ring leaders will now be prosecuted," Danish Foreign Minister Villy Soevndal said Sunday.

The agreement marks the second time that the Seychelles has agreed to prosecute suspected pirates detained by Danish warships, Xinhua reported.