5 Somalis on trial in Dutch court for piracy in Gulf under a 17th century law

Published November 17, 2014

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — The trial of five Somali men for robbery on the high seas is beginning in the first modern piracy trial in a Dutch court.

The men were captured in January 2009 after attacking a cargo ship registered in the Dutch Antilles. The ship's crew held off the attack with flares until a Danish navy frigate intervened and sank the pirates' boat.

The men are being tried under a 17th century law against "sea robbery."

Defense lawyers are challenging the jurisdiction of the Rotterdam District Court.

The judges are hearing opening statements Tuesday. The trial is scheduled to last five days, and a verdict is expected next month.

Another group of Somalis is in a Dutch jail fighting extradition to Germany, which has issued a warrant for their arrest on piracy charges.

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