How exactly does the logic for getting indicted for piracy work? I read somewhere that you only get indicted if a white ship is in your sight radius when exiting the combat map and reaches another city. So if you attack another ship with no other ships in sight, nothing should happen. Equally, when you hunt down all witnesses, you should also be fine.

But I could swear, that I have been indicted when there was no other ship around. Does anyone have hard facts on this? I cannot believe the game would sabotage a pirate play-style like this, when it clearly offers piracy as an option!