U.S. Sentences 5 Somali Pirates to Life in Prison for Attack on Warship

On Monday a judge in Virginia sentenced five Somali men to life in prison plus 80 years, one of the harshest sentences for piracy yet, for attacking the USS Nicholas.

The five men were found guilty of piracy back in November for their roles in the attack on the U.S. warship on April 1, 2010. The recent convictions are among the first piracy convictions in the US in more than 190 years.

The piracy conviction carried a mandatory sentence and the additional 80 years were added for the firearms charges in connection with the hijacking attempt.

Court documents said that the five men, in their 20s set sail from Somalia in March in search of a vessel to hijack. The men claimed they were offered thousands of dollars for a successful hijack.

From a skiff the men opened fire at the USS Nicholas. The Nicholas fired back, took the pirates captive and destroyed the skiff.

Federal prosecutors say the U.S. is sending a strong message to pirates with the latest sentences.

Just last week thirteen Somali’s and one Yemeni were indicted in US court for their roles in the attack and hijack of a yacht carrying four Americans. Among those indicted are three pirates accused of the murder of the retired couple and their two friends onboard their yacht the S/V Quest.