ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, May 26 (UPI) -- A Dutch judge is expected to rule next month on the fate of five Somali men accused of piracy in the hijacking of a Dutch cargo ship.
The trial against the men began Tuesday in Rotterdam, Netherlands, NRC Handelsblad reported. It was to resume Wednesday.
The five Somalis are charged with piracy for allegedly attacking the Samanyolu cargo ship in January 2009 in the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast. Sailors aboard the Netherlands Antilles ship were rescued by the Danish navy, which also captured the suspects and turned them over to Dutch officials in February 2009.
Several defense attorneys asked that the proceedings be delayed until they have a chance to talk to the Samanyolu crew, some of whom are at sea, NRC Handelsblad said.
The Dutch court is the first in a Western country expected to issue a verdict on alleged Somali pirates, the news outlet said. The men face prison terms of nine to 12 years.
