Germany calls for prosecution of Somali pirates

United Nations: Somali pirates must be prosecuted and imprisoned, and "adequate structures" need to be established to reach that goal, the deputy permanent representative of Germany to the United Nations has said.

Miguel Berger said this while addressing a Security Council meeting on piracy off the coast of Somalia, Xinhua reported.

The German ambassador said his country wants to assist the Somali justice system to prosecute piracy suspects in accordance with international standards.

He called for neighbouring countries to contribute to the efforts to prosecute piracy suspects.

Pirates have recently intensified their activities in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.