MUMBAI: A special court in Mumbai on Monday sentenced 44 Somali pirates to life imprisonment in two separate judgments after they pleaded guilty to the charges following their arrests in anti-piracy operations conducted by the Indian armed forces in 2024.While 35 of the accused were convicted in the hijacking of the Maltese merchant vessel MV Ruen, nine others were sentenced in connection with the hijacking of the Iranian fishing vessel Al-Kambar 786, after they surrendered following a rescue operation by the Indian Navy. By pleading guilty, the accused waived their right to a trial. All of them were present in court.On July 6, 34 of the accused in the MV Ruen case signed a written plea expressing their decision to admit guilt. In their application, they stated that they had been facing severe hardship during nearly two years of judicial custody due to cultural, linguistic and dietary barriers, as well as the complete absence of local support. They also pointed out that charges had been framed against them only on May 13, 2026, after a considerable delay.Having fully understood the charges, the accused stated that they were voluntarily pleading guilty without any duress or coercion, despite being aware that the offences carried the maximum punishment. They requested the court to show leniency, saying they were poor, first-time offenders from an allied nation, and sought the minimum possible sentence in accordance with any applicable diplomatic arrangements between India and Somalia.“That our decision to plead guilty is purely voluntary, under no duress or compulsion, and we are aware that maximum punishment may be awarded as well. However, we hope for leniency from the Indian judiciary and government as this is our first offence and we are poor citizens of an ally country with good diplomatic relations with the Government of India,” the plea stated.A similar plea was filed by the nine accused in the Al-Kambar 786 case, who were arrested in April 2024.The proceedings in the second case commenced after submissions by Special Public Prosecutor Ranjit Sangle, following which the court framed charges against the nine accused under multiple laws, including the Indian Penal Code, Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, Passport Act, and Foreigners Act.After the charges were explained in English to Li Jama, one of the accused in the MV Ruen case, he translated them for the remaining accused to ensure they understood the proceedings.
