A French frigate belonging to the European Union (EU) anti-piracy mission handed over 11 presumed pirates along with their weapons and vessels to the Kenyan authorities in Mombasa on Friday, said the EU naval mission, Xinhua reported.
The handover by French frigate Nivose was in accordance with a March agreement between the EU and Kenya which enables the latter to initiate legal action against pirates captured at sea.
The French frigate intercepted these 11 pirates and their vessels -- two skiffs and a "mother ship" -- on Sunday morning. The operation took place some 500 nautical miles (900 km) east of Mombasa, said the EU naval mission through a statement in Brussels.
Eleven ships and two maritime patrol aircraft are currently participating in the EU anti-piracy operation "Atalanta." They will be joined by three Swedish vessels next week.
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