Vietnam accepts extradition of Indonesian pirates to Malaysia

The court had a meeting on September 12 to consider Malaysia’s extradition request. 

At about 8pm of June 11, 2015, the pirates attacked the ship Orkim Harmony, which was on Malaysia’s territorial waters then, and injured a crewmember. 

While escaping, they entered Vietnam’s territorial waters and were arrested by Vietnam’s coast and border guard forces. 

The pirates were later handed over to the criminal police department under Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security. 

A Malaysian prosecution agency accused the gang of violating Malaysia’s criminal law. 

In early February 2016, the Malaysian Minister of Internal Affairs sent a request for extraditing the Indonesian nationals to the country for trial. Vietnam’s public security ministry asked the court sector to consider the request. 

The Hanoi court’s acceptance was based on regulations in the Law on Mutual Legal Assistance and the Criminal Procedure Code. 

The case’s exhibits, currently kept at the criminal police department, will also be returned. 

The accused can appeal against the extradition decision within 15 days since the decision is made.