“Vega 5”: Rescued Hostages Testify Against Pirates

The 12 Mozambicans rescued by the Indian navy from Somali pirates are now being heard by an Indian court in Mumbai, as witnesses against the pirates, according to a report in Tuesday's issue of the independent daily "O Pais".
A gang of Somali pirates seized a Mozambican fishing ship, the "Vega 5", operated by a Mozambican-Spanish joint venture, Pescamar, on 27 December. On board were a crew of 24 – 19 Mozambicans, 3 Indonesians and two Spaniards.

The 12 Mozambicans rescued by the Indian navy from Somali pirates are now being heard by an Indian court in Mumbai, as witnesses against the pirates, according to a report in Tuesday's issue of the independent daily "O Pais".
A gang of Somali pirates seized a Mozambican fishing ship, the "Vega 5", operated by a Mozambican-Spanish joint venture, Pescamar, on 27 December. On board were a crew of 24 – 19 Mozambicans, 3 Indonesians and two Spaniards.
The pirates left the Spaniards as hostages somewhere in Somalia, but kept the Mozambicans and Indonesians on board the "Vega 5", which they transformed into a pirate mother ship, used to attack shipping in the Arabian Sea.
On 12 March, an Indian anti-piracy patrol was involved in a gun battle with the "Vega 5". Fuel drums which the pirates had kept on deck to refuel their skiffs were hit and a fire broke out. People on board the stricken "Vega 5", jumped over board, and the Indian ships picked up 74 of them. These were 61 Somali pirates and 13 members of the original "Vega 5" crew – 12 Mozambicans and one Indonesian.
It is feared that the other seven Mozambicans and two Indonesians may be lost at sea. Chances of finding any of them alive must be regarded as negligible.
The Indian court regards the Mozambican crew members as important witnesses against the pirates, since they were forced to live under their control for two and a half months.
Fisheries Minister Victor Borges told "O Pais", that, after they have given their testimony, the Mozambicans are expected to return later this week. He said the legal procedures for their repatriation are under way, and that his Ministry, as well as the Mozambican embassy in India, has been in permanent contact with them.
Any legal assistance the crew members may need is guaranteed, and the government has even sent a lawyer to Mumbai.
The crew members are accommodated in a Mumbai hotel, where they are available to answer questions from the court.
Prime Minister Aires Ali, who is on a visit to India, thanked the Indian authorities for the naval intervention that freed the Mozambicans from pirate captivity. Speaking at an economic conference on India and Africa, he said the vigorous action by the Indian navy was a clear expression of international cooperation in the struggle against piracy, which he hoped to see strengthened.