The 11 Nivose pirates sentenced to 20 years in prison in Kenya

(BRUXELLES2) Apprehended in early May 2009 by French sailors, 11 suspects have recently been sentenced to 20 years in prison in Mombasa (Kenya). A sentence that can be relatively heavy compared to the sentences usually imposed in Kenya. The Kenyan "Magistrate" had a heavy hand in her judgment delivered on April 19. In a similar case, arrested by the same frigate at the same time, the suspects had only been sentenced to 5 years in prison. But it must be said that the circumstances did not plead for the defendants.

The pirates are spotted first by a Spanish maritime patrol aircraft. Alerted, the French frigate Nivose in a maneuver worthy of naval battle manuals, then places itself facing the sun to blind the pirates. They allow themselves to be trapped and prepare to launch an attack on the Nivose. They are approaching at high speed when the captain on board decides to intercept them. After flying over by the Panther helicopter, the boarding teams found weapons on board, clear proof of involvement in piracy.