NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Five Somalis on trial for piracy were stripped, blindfolded and handcuffed by the U.S. Navy, a sailor testified in Norfolk, Va.
Federal prosecutors showed the federal jury photos and videos of events following the Somalis' capture on April 1, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported. Witnesses have said two of them fired AK-47 rifles at the Navy frigate Nicholas.
Jacob Smith, a petty officer first class aboard the Norfolk-based Nicholas, testified Tuesday that the prisoners' clothing was cut off and they were forced to lie face down on mats. After brief questioning, they were given "poopy suits" and put outdoors under an awning, handcuffed to the ship.
Smith said he and other sailors recovered evidence from the Somalis' boats, including rounds of AK-47 ammunition. No guns were found, but prosecutors said the defendants threw the AK-47s and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher overboard.
The Somalis were kept on the deck for three weeks, forced to urinate overboard and defecate in buckets while under constant watch by armed guards, Smith said.
