Kenya cannot prosecute Somali pirates: Court

Mombasa (Kenya): A Kenyan judge says the
country does not have jurisdiction to try pirates if attacks
have taken place outside Kenya`s waters.

Judge Mohammed Ibrahim today terminated a case in
which nine Somali men had been charged with piracy. He ordered
the men free.

Ibrahim`s ruling could be a big blow to US and
international efforts to see pirates taken to court.
The suspects` attorney, Jared Magolo, said the
judgement means most piracy cases in Kenya will collapse for
lack of jurisdiction.

The international community has depended on countries
like Kenya and the Seychelles to prosecute pirates who attack
off East Africa.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently said a
special international court for pirates is being looked at.

PTI