Indian court jails Somali pirates for life

An Indian court has sentenced 44 Somali nationals to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to piracy offences linked to the hijacking of two commercial vessels off the coast of Somalia.

The convictions relate to two attacks between late 2023 and early 2024. In December 2023, 35 pirates hijacked the Maltese-flagged bulk carrier, MV Ruen. Three months later, another nine Somali pirates seized the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Al Kambar. Indian naval forces intercepted both vessels, rescued the crew members and arrested the suspects before bringing them to India for prosecution.

Delivering the judgment, Judge S.B. Dige described the offences as grave crimes that threatened international maritime security. He said the hijacking of ships on the high seas, the taking of hostages for ransom and the use of crew members as human shields warranted the maximum punishment under the law.

During the trial, the convicted men admitted their involvement and requested to be returned to Somalia for prosecution. The court proceeded with sentencing in India.

The 44 men have remained in custody at Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai since their arrest in 2024.

India has maintained a naval presence in waters off Somalia since 2008 and expanded anti-piracy operations in 2023 following a renewed rise in attacks across the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea.

SOURCE: AFP