Somali pirates accused of attempting to hijack the 2,073-teu boxship MSC Jasmine (built 1988) back in 2013 have been found guilty in a second trial held on the island of Mauritius.
The 12 men attempted to board the vessel in the Indian Ocean but were repelled by armed guards. They were later detained by European Naval (EUNAVFOR) forces, who responded to the MSC Jasmine’s distress calls.
They were subsequently taken to Mauritius for prosecution under the terms of a 2011 agreement between the European Union and the Mauritian government.
An initial trial found the men not guilty but the ruling was immediately appealed by the Public Prosecutor.
Sentencing is expected to take place shortly.
