Federal judge postpones Virginia piracy trial of 6 Somalis accused in Navy ship attack

Federal judge delays US piracy trial for 6 Somalis

NORFOLK, Va. — A federal judge has postponed the U.S. trial of six Somali nationals charged with piracy off the coast of Africa to give both sides more time to prepare.

U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson on Thursday pushed back the trial to Oct. 19 from July. The suspects are charged in an April 10 attack on the Navy vessel USS Ashland.

The Somalis, who don’t speak English, are charged with piracy and related counts and could face life in prison if convicted.

The judge cited the potential for having to deal with classified information, the number of defendants, the language barrier and other hurdles in issuing the delay.

Five other accused pirates are also being held for trial in Norfolk on charges related to a March clash with another Navy ship.

(This version CORRECTS corrects trial date to Oct. 19 from Oct. 16.)