Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the case of a Swiss-registered ship hijacked off the coast of Nigeria in September.
This is even as ransom negotiations with the attackers, who kidnapped 12 crew members, are still ongoing.
Although, none of the hostages are of Swiss nationality, the fact that the ill-fated ship; MV Glarus is registered with a Swiss company (Massoel Shipping in Geneva) warranted the opening of a Swiss enquiry.
Reports say that, the prosecutors argued that, due to the Swiss flag being flown, the kidnappings must be investigated as if they had taken place in Switzerland.
Police spokesman René Gsell who was contacted did not give further details on the progress so far, nor about the hostages, who include seven Filipinos, a Croatian, a Bosnian, a Slovenian, a Ukrainian, and a Romanian.
However, Massoel Shipping confirmed that the crew members were doing as well as could be expected, given the conditions.
Investigations indicate that, negotiations were ongoing in Nigeria as to their release. The attackers, who are suspected to be Niger Delta militants, are demanding ransoms.
The ship was attacked on September 22, while on route from Lagos to Port Harcourt with a cargo of cereal. It was boarded by the pirates some 45 nautical miles southwest of Bonny Island.
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