Monday, May 11, 2009
The Somalis were captured on May 3 in the Indian Ocean by the Nivose, a French warship which is part of the European Union's anti-piracy force off the Somali coast, and transferred to the Kenyan port of Mombasa on Friday.
The men, who did not have a lawyer, were accused of being in possession of two AK-47 assault rifles, grenade launchers and a knife, as well as attacking the Nivose and "putting in fear the lives of the crew of the said vessel," read the charge sheet.
The pirates had spotted the Nivose near the Seychelles and pursued the warship, mistakenly thinking it was a merchant vessel.
The French vessel moved into the sun to keep its identity unclear and when the unsuspecting pirates were close enough, it dispatched a helicopter and commandos on outboards to capture them.
Since November 2008, at least 53 suspected Somali pirates have been charged in Kenya after being handed over by European and US naval forces in line with an agreement.
Source: AFP, May 11, 2009