Somalian Sentenced to Life in US Prison For Piracy

Armed Somali pirates who are seizing ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Dozens of vessels have been attacked over the last several months prompting US/NATO involvement in the region., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Last Updated: Mar 31, 2012 - 6:24:48 AM

Somalia

Somalia: Somali pirate sentenced to life in US
31 Mar 31, 2012 - 6:23:13 AM

NORFOLK, US Mar 31 2012 (Garowe Online) – A Somali pirate has received a life sentence for his part in a hijacking that led to the death of 4 Americans, Radio Garowe reports.

Saeed Abdi Fooley pleaded guilty to piracy which serves a mandatory life sentence. Fooley and 10 other men have pleaded guilty to piracy after hijacking Jean and Scott Adam’s yacht last year. Two friends of the Adam’s were also on the yacht when it was hijacked. After negotiations broke down with the US Navy the four were shot and killed by the pirates. Two pirates were killed and 13 captured after the US forces took control of the yacht.

US Navy kill fishermen

An article released by Somalia Report states that two fishermen were killed by the US Navy. The US navy shot and killed the fishermen mistakenly according to Somalia Report.

According to the Minister of Fisheries Saeed Mohamed Rage, attacks on fishermen in Somali waters are commonplace. “We have had a countless number of coastal families that have approached the government telling us that foreign navy forces have targeted fishermen repeatedly in Somali waters,” said Minster Rage.

According to officials from the Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC), coastal communities are apprehensive of foreign naval forces patrolling Somali waters because of the number of missing fishermen and the foreign naval forces disregard for fishermen’s rights in Somali waters. ‘Operation Atlanta’ the EU Naval forces mission against piracy has not only extended its operations until 2014 but has amended their mandate to begin fighting piracy on Somali soil. The new mandate would allow warships or helicopters to fire at fuel barrels, boats, trucks or other equipment on beaches.

GAROWE ONLINE