Somali 'pirates' accused of hijacking UAE ship in court

Ten Somali men accused of piracy who were caught in a special forces raid that freed the hijacked UAE ship MV Arrilah appeared in court today. Special counter-terrorism units stormed the bulk oil carrier in April after it was hijacked in the Arabian Sea, east of Oman, en route from Australia to Jebel Ali. The 37,000-tonne ship is owned by two subsidiaries of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and the rescue was at the time said to show the UAE's commitment to acting "firmly" in the face of piracy. The alleged pirates, who were arrested during the rescue mission, have appeared twice before at the Federal First Instance Court. Questioning yesterday took place without a lawyer present. "Since you cannot afford a lawyer, the Ministry of Justice will appoint one for you. He will present his defence next hearing," the judge told the defendants. The case was adjourned to later this month.