The EU anti-pirate force has said that six suspected Somali pirates have been released after they were captured allegedly trying to flee an unsuccessful hijacking.

The BBC has reported that Cmdr. John Harbour said the Pakistani master of the Almezaan refused to testify against the prisoners. Armed security guards on the Almezaan drove off the pirates Tuesday, killing one of them.

They were found by the Spanish naval vessel Navarra in two small boats, along with the body of their comrade. Working with NAVFOR, the EU force, the Navarra, was responding to a distress call from the Almezaan.

There was an iron-clad case against the men, Harbour said.

He further said, "We intercepted the pirates, we destroyed their mother-ship and we went on board the cargo ship to get statements. But we had to release them because the master of the ship would not testify." (With Inputs from Agencies)