The French defence minister congratulates French troops in Djibouti [AFP]

The group were arrested by French troops in the Somali desert five days ago.
 
The 30-member crew of the vessel had been held for a week but were released in exchange for a ransom from the yacht's owners.
 
French officials said last week that France had the right to try the Somalis, who are believed to be fishermen, but some experts have questioned the legality of such a trial.
 
An investigation has began for "boat hijacking and kidnapping in an organised gang with ransom payment".
 
The charge carries a maximum life sentence.
 
Around a dozen pirates attacked the luxury French yacht on April 4, some 850km off the Somali coast.
 
They then sailed the boat and its crew to Somalia and tried to flee inland after collecting the ransom.
 
French helicopters pursued one of their getaway cars and captured all those inside and retrieved some of the ransom.
 
Nicolas Sarkozy, the president of France, last week thanked the French army and other French agencies "that allowed a quick end" to the hostage taking, saying they were freed "without incident".

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto: