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Grand jury files new piracy indictments against Somalis


By Tim McGlone
The Virginian-Pilot
Friday, July 09, 2010

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NORFOLK, VA - A federal grand jury issued new indictments this week against two sets of Somali nationals, adding more criminal charges bolstering the government’s piracy case against the 13 men.

The grand jury filed a 14-count indictment against five Somalis charged in the April 1 attack on the Nicholas, a Norfolk-based frigate, adding eight additional felonies including carrying explosives.

The grand jury also handed up an eight-count indictment against six Somalis charged in the April 10 attack on the Ashland, a Little Creek-based amphibious dock landing ship, adding three felony charges.

The new charges don’t change the underlying allegations that each set of suspected pirates fired upon the Navy vessels in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa.

The Somalis are scheduled to return to U.S. District Court July 28 for arraignment on the new indictments.

Source: The Virginian-Pilot