This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6105262.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Jail sentence for Somali pirates | Jail sentence for Somali pirates |
(4 days later) | |
Ten Somalis have been sentenced to seven years in jail for piracy and hijacking by a Kenyan court. | Ten Somalis have been sentenced to seven years in jail for piracy and hijacking by a Kenyan court. |
The men were arrested earlier this year by the US Navy which responded to a reported hijack off the Somali coast. | The men were arrested earlier this year by the US Navy which responded to a reported hijack off the Somali coast. |
The pirates had maintained they were fisherman and had not held 16 crew members of an Indian ship for ransom. | The pirates had maintained they were fisherman and had not held 16 crew members of an Indian ship for ransom. |
Somalia's coastline is one of the world's worst areas for piracy, but incidents have declined since the Islamic courts rose to power in June. | Somalia's coastline is one of the world's worst areas for piracy, but incidents have declined since the Islamic courts rose to power in June. |
The BBC's Odhiambo Joseph in Kenya's port city of Mombasa, where the trial took place, says the courtroom was packed ahead of the sentencing. | The BBC's Odhiambo Joseph in Kenya's port city of Mombasa, where the trial took place, says the courtroom was packed ahead of the sentencing. |
Silence fell as the accused walked into the dock, sat down with bowed heads and began praying in low tones. | Silence fell as the accused walked into the dock, sat down with bowed heads and began praying in low tones. |
The prosecution had urged the court to hand down life sentences as provided for under Kenyan law. | The prosecution had urged the court to hand down life sentences as provided for under Kenyan law. |
Immediately after the sentence was read out, the men clapped their hands and their faces brightened, our correspondent says. | Immediately after the sentence was read out, the men clapped their hands and their faces brightened, our correspondent says. |
But their lawyer says he will appeal against the seven-year terms, arguing that some of those convicted are minors. | But their lawyer says he will appeal against the seven-year terms, arguing that some of those convicted are minors. |
Ransom | Ransom |
When the case opened in February, the suspects said they were fishermen and did not know why they had been "abducted" from their fishing boat. | When the case opened in February, the suspects said they were fishermen and did not know why they had been "abducted" from their fishing boat. |
But Indian sailors identified the men, who were caught by the US Navy in international waters, and said they had been tortured by them. | But Indian sailors identified the men, who were caught by the US Navy in international waters, and said they had been tortured by them. |
The pirates had demanded a ransom of $50,000 for their release. | The pirates had demanded a ransom of $50,000 for their release. |
The rescued Indian vessel was brought to Mombasa because it was the nearest port. | The rescued Indian vessel was brought to Mombasa because it was the nearest port. |
Somalia has been in the grip of warlords and militias for years and has not had a functioning national government since 1991. | Somalia has been in the grip of warlords and militias for years and has not had a functioning national government since 1991. |
The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has consolidated its control over much of southern Somalia after seizing the capital, Mogadishu. | The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has consolidated its control over much of southern Somalia after seizing the capital, Mogadishu. |
The UIC was set up by businessmen who wanted to impose law and order, and their gunmen have become Somalia's strongest fighting force | The UIC was set up by businessmen who wanted to impose law and order, and their gunmen have become Somalia's strongest fighting force |
The decline in piracy has also been attributed to foreign navy patrols. | The decline in piracy has also been attributed to foreign navy patrols. |