Teams from EU NAVFOR and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) deployed to the Seychelles recently to conduct training with law enforcement agencies hosted at the REFLECS3 (Regional Fusion and Law Enforcement Centre for Safety and Security at Sea).
Over three days, between Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th March 2018, teams conducted the second Joint Exercise of the Seychelles Prosecution Pathway programme; EU NAVFOR and UNODC designed the programme to ensure the continued improvement and development of all areas within the justice system. Building on the last exercise, in May 2017, the programme focused on media handling, evidence collection and crime scene management, and incorporated a discussion about the transfer of suspected pirates that took place between EU NAVFOR and the Seychelles in Nov 2017.
The attendees engaged in classroom-based learning and discussions followed by an exercise on a dhow with a simulated but realistic crime scene. The training culminated in tabletop exercises designed to stimulate thinking and problem solving so teams could practice and confirm their skills. Personnel from EU NAVFOR Warship ESPS Patiño, visiting the Seychelles, supported the training with their experience in dealing with maritime crime.
Barry Faure, the Seychellois Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, attended the closing ceremony. He discussed the “very positive approach of all concerned,” and outlined the importance of the Seychelles becoming a focal point for dealing with maritime crime. Also in attendance was H.E. Lionel Majeste-Larrouy, the French and EU Ambassador to the Seychelles and H.E. Caron Röhsler, the British High Commissioner to the Seychelles. H.E. Röhsler said: “Legal and media members of EU NAVFOR and UNODC have been in the Seychelles conducting ‘prosecution pathway’ training to ensure a ‘legal finish’. This is a promise, not just a threat, to pirates in the Indian Ocean.” She added: “This means ensuring all agencies involved from intercept to arrest to the detention and court process know exactly what to do and keep the evidence chain intact.”
Seychellois authorities have been working alongside EU NAVFOR and the UNODC as part of the legal finish for counter-piracy operations. Those present included Seychelles Maritime Police Unit, Seychelles Coast Guard, Scientific Support and Crime Record Bureau, Seychelles Police Force and CID, lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office, State Counsel and the Seychelles Peoples Defence Force.
Over three days, between Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th March 2018, teams conducted the second Joint Exercise of the Seychelles Prosecution Pathway programme; EU NAVFOR and UNODC designed the programme to ensure the continued improvement and development of all areas within the justice system. Building on the last exercise, in May 2017, the programme focused on media handling, evidence collection and crime scene management, and incorporated a discussion about the transfer of suspected pirates that took place between EU NAVFOR and the Seychelles in Nov 2017.
The attendees engaged in classroom-based learning and discussions followed by an exercise on a dhow with a simulated but realistic crime scene. The training culminated in tabletop exercises designed to stimulate thinking and problem solving so teams could practice and confirm their skills. Personnel from EU NAVFOR Warship ESPS Patiño, visiting the Seychelles, supported the training with their experience in dealing with maritime crime.
Barry Faure, the Seychellois Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, attended the closing ceremony. He discussed the “very positive approach of all concerned,” and outlined the importance of the Seychelles becoming a focal point for dealing with maritime crime. Also in attendance was H.E. Lionel Majeste-Larrouy, the French and EU Ambassador to the Seychelles and H.E. Caron Röhsler, the British High Commissioner to the Seychelles. H.E. Röhsler said: “Legal and media members of EU NAVFOR and UNODC have been in the Seychelles conducting ‘prosecution pathway’ training to ensure a ‘legal finish’. This is a promise, not just a threat, to pirates in the Indian Ocean.” She added: “This means ensuring all agencies involved from intercept to arrest to the detention and court process know exactly what to do and keep the evidence chain intact.”
Seychellois authorities have been working alongside EU NAVFOR and the UNODC as part of the legal finish for counter-piracy operations. Those present included Seychelles Maritime Police Unit, Seychelles Coast Guard, Scientific Support and Crime Record Bureau, Seychelles Police Force and CID, lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office, State Counsel and the Seychelles Peoples Defence Force.