Germany has a case too!
From The Virginian Pilot:
In a historic decision Wednesday, a jury in federal court convicted five Somali nationals of piracy in the April 1 attack on the Norfolk-based frigate Nicholas.
They face mandatory terms of life in prison when they are sentenced March 14.
It’s the first time in nearly 200 years that a jury returned a guilty verdict in a piracy case in a U.S. court, a verdict that likely sets up years of appeals.
The Somalis – Mohammed Modin Hasan, Gabul Abdullahi Ali, Abdi Wali Dire, Abdi Mohammed Gurewardher and Abdi Mohammed Umar – all were found guilty of piracy under the law of nations and 13 related counts.
Germany’s modern-day piracy trial underway
From Reuters:
(Reuters) – Ten suspected Somali pirates captured during the hijacking of a German cargo ship in April went on trial in Hamburg Monday, in Germany’s first modern-day piracy trial.
We think we have compiled enough evidence,” said Wilhelm Moellers, spokesman for the Hamburg public prosecutor’s office. “We presented the court with 22 witnesses and a mass of material evidence, including the weapons used by the accused.”
He said the accused included seven adults and three young people who, once their exact age has been determined, could be tried under juvenile law and face lesser prison sentences of 10 years if convicted. The adults face 15-year sentences.
Boy, I guess if you are a Somali pirate and get caught you better hope the Germans catch you and not the Americans!