Two Somali Pirates Get Life in U.S. Prison For Killing of U.S. Citizens

After their roles in pirating a yacht which resulted in the death of two American couples, two Somali men are now spending the rest of their lives in a United States prison.  After pleading guilty earlier this year to piracy of the S/V Quest vessel off the Somali coast, the men were finally sentenced to the life prison terms in a Norfolk federal court.

The incident occurred when a group of Somali and Yemeni pirates seized the yacht in February of this year. Some of the members went aboard a U.S. warship to attempt to negotiate ransom, but shooting broke out on the yacht and the American passengers were killed. The pirates were captured by U.S. military forces and brought to Norfolk for prosecution.

In the next few weeks, nine others who have pleaded guilty to charges relating to the yacht seizure are due to be sentenced and also face mandatory life sentences. Three Somalis, in total, have been charged with the shooting, kidnapping and murdering of the two couples. Officials believe harsh sentencing in these cases will send the message that the days of armed robbery and extortion at sea are over.