12 pirates sentenced in Puntland

(B2) 12 pirates were sentenced by the Court of First Instance of Bossaso (in Puntland, autonomous region of northeastern Somalia), Sunday, October 25, we learned from the agencies. Eight-year sentences were imposed on 8 men who had been handed over to local authorities by the Egyptian government after being overpowered by a crew of an Egyptian fishing boat which they had been holding hostage for several months and which had revolted (two pirates would have died in this revolt). Four other men were sentenced to 3 years in prison each for having attempted several attacks on the coast of the village of Mareero, outside Bossaso.