MARITIME LAW: Piracy off Somali coast and Law

Internal affairs minister Joel Morgan said the UN-backed transfer was a step forward to ensure "convicted pirates do not remain for long periods in Seychelles' prisons."

Somalia has been ravaged by a relentless conflict since 1991, and a lack of effective central authority has allowed pirate gangs, extremist militia and other armed groups to control mini-fiefdoms.

However, piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia have plummeted to a three-year low thanks to beefed up naval patrols. (AFP)