Kenya jails 7 Somali pirates

2010-09-07 18:07

Nairobi - A defence lawyer says a Kenyan court has convicted and sentenced seven Somali pirates to five years in prison.

Jared Magolo says the pirates were found guilty of attacking a German naval supply ship in the Gulf of Aden on March 29 last year. Magolo says his clients plan to appeal the verdict delivered on Monday.

The EU anti-piracy task force says it welcomes the court's decision.

After the seven pirates attacked the German FGS Spessart last year, they were later chased and captured by the German frigate FGS Rheinland-Pfalz. That frigate handed them over to Kenyan authorities in April last year.

Before the verdict handed down on Monday, Kenyan courts had convicted 28 Somalis of piracy since 2006.

- AP