Assembly votes to enhance law on piracy
The National Assembly has voted for amendments to the law that covers crimes connected to piracy, making it relevant to today’s situation.
During its session yesterday, members of the Parti Lepep voted in favour of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill while members of the Opposition abstained.
The Bill, presented by Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Transport Joel Morgan, proposes to replace the old Section 65 of the Penal Code, which provides for the trial and punishment for piracy or any crime connected to it “according to the law of England for the time being in force”.
The amended section gives courts here the power to try an alleged offence of piracy whether it is committed within or outside the territory of Seychelles.
It proposes a punishment of 30 years in prison and a fine of R1 million on a person who commits the offence of piracy, as well as on a person who attempts or conspires to commit piracy.