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US Indicts 11 Alleged Pirates from Somalia

   VOA News 23 April 2010
   A  suspected  pirate from Somalia is escorted into federal court by US
   Marshal's in Norfolk, Virginia, 23 Apr 2010

Photo: AP

   A  suspected  pirate from Somalia is escorted into federal court by US
   Marshal's in Norfolk, Virginia, 23 Apr 2010

   Eleven  suspected  pirates  from  Somalia have been indicted in a U.S.
   court for attacks on two U.S. Navy ships off the east coast of Africa.
   The  indictment  was  unsealed  Friday  in the city of Norfolk, in the
   state  of  Virginia. The pirates, who were taken into U.S. custody and
   flown  to  the  United States, are expected to appear in federal court
   Friday.
   The  charges include piracy, attacks to plunder a vessel, assault with
   a dangerous weapon and use of a firearm in a crime.
   Five  of the men were captured March 31 after an exchange of fire with
   the  frigate  USS  Nicholas,  while  the  six others were seized after
   shooting at the USS Ashland earlier this month. Â
   Piracy  is  a  major  problem  off the coast of Somalia, with gangs of
   pirates  recently  stepping  up  attacks  in  the  waters, despite the
   presence of dozens of naval vessels in the area.
   Somali pirates have hijacked more than 20 ships since the beginning of
   March and are holding more than 200 crew members hostage.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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