Alleged pirate jailed until trial

2009-11-04 17:40

Madrid - A judge in Spain on Wednesday ordered a suspected Somali pirate jailed pending trial over the seizure of a Spanish tuna trawler, judicial sources said on Wednesday.

Court-order medical tests last month ended weeks of uncertainty and proved that the man, Abdu Willy, is over 18, ending weeks of uncertainty over his age.

Willy and another suspected Somali pirate are believed to have played a role in the seizure of the Spanish trawler Alakrana on October 2 in the Indian Ocean.

The other suspect, who is 31, is also facing trial.

They were detained two days later by a Spanish frigate as they left the ship in a skiff and brought to Spain.

The Alakrana is currently being held off Somalia while Spanish negotiators are trying to obtain the release of its 36 crew, who include 16 Spaniards, as well as Asians and Africans.

The pirates are demanding $4m for the release of the ship and its crew as well as the liberation of the two suspected pirates being held in Spain.

- AFP