Seven Somali men put on defence over piracy charges

By Linah Benyawa

Seven Somali men facing piracy charges were yesterday placed on their defence after a Mombasa court concluded that they had a case to answer. Senior Resident Magistrate James Ombura said: "I am satisfied the prosecution has proved its case and I will place each of the suspects on their defences," said Ombura.

At the same time, defence counsel Jared Magolo told court each of the accused persons would give evidence on oath, but they needed time to prepare for the defence. The suspects are alleged to have attacked MV Nephelis and put the lives of the ship’s crewmembers in danger.

The suspects are Jama Abdikadir Farah, Awil Mohammed Ahmed, Abdiweli Bare Abdile, Shariff Osman Abdalla, Abdirahman Ahmed Jama, Mohammed Hersi Isse and Noor Hussein Mohammed.

They are alleged to have committed the offence on May 6, last year at the Gulf of Aden. This is the fourth group to be placed on defence. Two groups have been convicted with one sentenced to seven years in jail while the other handed a 20-year jail term.