People & Politics: Fighting the Pirates - A German Deployment Looks Imminent (28.11.2008)

The German navy is expected to take part in direct action against pirates who seize vessels off the Somali coast on an almost daily basis. The seafaring bandits are getting ever more bold in their attempts to squeeze massive ransoms out of shipowners. Now the United Nations, the EU and Germany are all planning to put a stop to the rogue elements on the high seas. But the legal situation for the German government could prove tricky. That's because some experts say that only the police can arrest pirates. But others are adamant that international maritime law does permit decisive action to bring the bandits to heel.