Charges against piracy suspects indicted in US

Charges against piracy suspects indicted in US

NORFOLK, Va. — Eleven suspected pirates were indicted Friday in U.S. court in connection with attacks off the coast of Africa. Two separate indictments were unsealed.

— Six were captured after they allegedly began shooting at the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland on April 10 about 380 miles off Djibouti.

They are: Maxamad Cali Saciid, aka Mohammed Said; Mohammed Abdi Jamah; Jaamac Ciidlel; Abdicasiis Cabaase; Abdirasaq Abshir; and Mahamed Farraah Hassan.

They are charged with piracy under the law of the nations; attack to plunder vessel; assault with a dangerous weapon in the special maritime jurisdiction; conspiracy to use firearms during a crime of violence; and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

— Five were captured March 31 after the frigate USS Nicholas exchanged fire with a suspected pirate vessel west of the Seychelles, sinking a skiff and confiscating its mother ship.

They are: Mohammed Modin Hasan; Gabul Abdullahi Ali; Abdi Wali Dire; Abdi Mohammed Gurewardher; Abdi Mohammed Umar.

They are charged with piracy under the law of the nations; attack to plunder vessel; assault with a dangerous weapon in the special maritime jurisdiction; conspiracy to use firearms during a crime of violence; and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.