Somali pirates sentenced to 10 years in Seychelles
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Eleven Somali pirates have been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the Seychelles
Eight of the men sentenced were convicted of piracy, and three others of aiding and abetting piracy, for trying to hijack the Topaz patrol boat in December.The ruling by the Supreme Court in Victoria is the first of its kind in the Indian Ocean nation.
In recent years, pirates have extended their reach further from the shores of East Africa. A further 29 Somali men are awaiting trial for suspected piracy in the Seychelles.
Warships from around the world are patrolling the Indian Ocean in a bid to deter pirate attacks. However, pirate suspects are routinely freed because of doubts about where they should face trial.
Last year, Somali pirates carried out more than 200 attacks, including 68 successful hijackings and receiving $50m (£32m) paid out in ransoms, according to unofficial figures - making it the most active year yet.