Court records statements of Somali pirates

Mumbai: A sessions court in the city on Saturday recorded statements of 28 Somali pirates, in 2011 ship hijacking case, under section 313 of CrPC. The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard in 2011 had arrested 120 Somali pirates and rescued several foreign nationals in four different operations.

The last batches of Somali pirates’ statements were recorded on Saturday. Now, the court will hear the final arguments before pronouncing judgement in the case.

Out of 120 pirates who were arrested in 2011, one died during the trial, and another pleaded not guilty, saying he was ready to face the trial. The rest of the accused have already pleaded guilty and have accepted their crime.

However, they pleaded guilty during the final stage of the trial, and hence the special public prosecutor Ranjeet Sangle requested the court to continue the trial.

On Saturday, all the accused told the court that they have committed a mistake and requested the court to show leniency. Only one accused told the judge that he was an assistant cook and did not fire even a single bullet. He also claimed that he didn’t know who was exchanging firing with security agencies as he was in the kitchen of the ship.

Translating the statements of the accused, the interpreter said that they have family in their hometown and their families are financially weak and can’t afford to come to India.

The accused said that they had not seen their families since their arrest and are not aware if any of their family members have died. Some of the accused claimed that they have children. All the accused requested the court to show leniency so that they can go back home and meet their family.

Two accused told the court that they need medical assistance. While a pirate claimed that a bullet is stuck in his head and another said that he had an abdominal problem. Hence, the court referred them to the hospital.

The judge would soon fix a date for final arguments before pronouncing judgement.