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Russia Frees Pirates Who Seized Tanker

They even got their boats back

By Caroline Miller, Newser Staff

Posted May 7, 2010 11:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – The pirates seized by a Russian warship off the coast of Somalia have been released, despite initial tough talk about taking them to Russia to face trial. "Imperfections" in international law forced the change in course, a defense ministry spokesman told the AP today, declining to elaborate. Some countries are wary of hauling in pirates for trial for fear of being saddled with them after they serve prison terms, the AP notes, which could explain the spokesman's brush-off comment, "Why should we feed some pirates?"

The pirates boarded the tanker Moscow University on Wednesday; they were arrested Thursday after special forces from a Russian warship stormed the tanker, killing one pirate and arresting 10 others. Suspected pirates from other cases are in custody and awaiting trial in France, the Netherlands, and the United States.

The Russian anti-submarine destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov, pictured, has freed the Moscow University, a Russian oil tanker that had been seized by pirates off Somalia on Thursday, May 6, 2010. (AP Photo, file)

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Russia Frees Pirates Who Seized Tanker

They even got their boats back

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