Two new trials recently started up in Europe.
A trial began in Paris on 22 May six men arrested in in Somalia in 2008 over the hijacking of the French ship, Le Ponant. If convicted, the men could be sentenced to life.
The men were arrested four years ago, a week after the alleged hi-jacking, by French paratroopers. Using a helicopter, the paratroopers stopped the taxi the alleged pirates were travelling in. The men have been in French custody since.
Only one of the people in the taxi allegedly admitted to being a pirate - the others have all denied the claim.
There are currently 22 Somali people arrested in connection with piracy, in French prisons.
The other trial beginning in Europe was another Spanish one. Six men appeared in court on 24 May charged with kidnapping after allegedly trying to attack the Atalanta Flagship, Patina, in January this year. (More about this incident can be read here.)
If convicted, the men will face sentences of between 893 to 1,122 years in prison.
