S. Korea Sentences Pirate to 15 Years

South Korea has sentenced a Somali pirate to 15 years in prison after he was found guilty of hijacking a South Korean managed ship.

Abdulahi Husseen Maxamuud was the last of five to be sentenced for the hijacking of the chemical tanker, SAMHO JEWELRY.

The South Korean Navy captured the five Somali men during a mission to free the vessel and crew back in January, just six days after it was hijacked. Eight pirates were killed in the raid.

The other four Somali men were sentenced on Friday: Mahomed Araye was sentenced to life in prison for attempting to murder the ship’s captain. Captain Seok Hae-Kyun was shot in the stomach and is still recovering after multiple operations. The rest of the 20-crew members were free unharmed.

Aul Brallat was found guilty of firing at the South Korean special forces team, and was sentenced to 15 years. Two other pirates arrested during the raid were each sentenced to 13 years.

Maxamuud was tried separately because he claimed to be the cook and to have no part in the hijacking or shootout. On Wednesday he apologized for what occurred and claimed he had even tried to restrain the other men during the raid.

Maxamuud and the other men are expected to appeal Wednesday’s sentence.