Euan Duthie helps tackle the pirates

19 May 2010

Euan Duthie of Axiom Advocates is currently acting as a Legal Advisor in Mombasa as part of the EU's fight against the scourge of Somali pirates.

The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) is conducting a military operation to deter and prevent acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia.  EUNAVFOR also protects vessels from the World Food Programme delivering aid to Somalia and safeguards vulnerable ships sailing near the Gulf of Aden and Somali coast.

Euan holds a commission in the Royal Naval Reserve and in January this year received a call-out letter mobilising him for full-time service as part of the Royal Navy's contribution to the EU operation.

Many of the pirates arrested by EUNAVFOR have been transferred to Kenya under an agreement between the EU and Kenya for the prosecution of suspected pirates. Trials are conducted at the Mombasa Law Courts under Kenyan law by Kenyan prosecutors.

Euan is a vital link between the EU Operational Headquarters (EUOHQ) and the Kenyan authorities.  Having spent a short period at EUOHQ, Northwood, Euan deployed to Kenya at the end of March.  His responsibilities include witness preparation, supporting Kenyan prosecutors in the preparation and prosecution of individual cases and liaising between EU Warships, the Kenyan police and state prosecutors in respect of the handover of suspected pirates to the Kenyan authorities. 

This is the first EU naval operation of its kind and up to 12 EU ships and a number of patrol aircraft will be operating at any given time.

Euan joined the RNR in 2001 and became an advocate in 2006 after receiving the Lord Reid Scholarship which aims to encourage young people of talent and ability to come to the Bar. Euan will remain in post until September, when he will return to practice in Scotland.