South Korea Holds Somali Pirates On Trial

After four Somali pirates were captured by South Korean officials in a commando raid in January, their trial began Monday on multiple charges of maritime robbery, kidnapping, and attempted murder, facing sentences punishable by life imprisonment.

The pirates were captured from the South Korea-operated chemical freighter, the Samho Jewelry.  It was hijacked in January in the Arabian Sea and held captive for six days before South Korean Navy SEALs raided the ship, killing eight pirates during the raid and obtaining five of the Somalis.  One of the five will be tried separately in accordance with admitting the charges against the group.

The landmark trial is taking place in the port city of Busan, marking the first attempt of South Korea to punish foreign pirates. 

A lengthy translation process has been delaying the case which will boast a relatively large 12-member jury alongside judges.  The case will yield a suggested verdict, though the judges are not bound by the recommendations given. 

The appointed defenses of the pirates cite international treaties, arguing that the Koreans are not eligible to try the pirates because of an illegal transfer.  

The Yonhap news agency raises doubts as to whether or not the verdict for the four pirates can be delivered on Friday, as scheduled due to the translation barriers and the complexity of the unprecedented case.