Norfolk: Thirteen Somalis and
one man from Yemen have pleaded not guilty to piracy, kidnapping and firearms charges in the February hijacking of a yacht that left four Americans dead.
They entered their pleas in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia. A trial has been set for May 17, although prosecutors want it pushed back.
If convicted of piracy, the 14 men face mandatory life
sentences without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors said
several of the men confessed to the FBI they had committed
piracy.
The US Attorney's Office has said more charges could
also be filed in the future. An indictment says at least three
of the men shot and killed the Americans aboard the yacht
several hundred kilometers south of the Middle Eastern nation
of Oman.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 11:09