Somali Pirates ‘Delighted’ with Conviction in The Netherlands
Monday, May 18th, 2009Five Somali pirates captured by Dutch Marines are pleased to be standing trial next week. They see it as an opportunity to overcome the misery in their homeland.
“My client is delighted to be here in the Netherlands,’ says mr. Ausma, lawyer of one of the Somalis to stand in trial. Ausma explained his client that he will face up to four years of imprisonment, but afterwards there is a good chance for a dutch citizenship.
Somali Pirates Detained by Dutch Marines
The hijackers are from an impoverished Somali village where Islamic Sharia law applies. ‘Now they get plenty to eat, play football and watch tv, they are visibly enjoying themselves to the fullest,” Ausma said, “The toilet in their cells, they find it so fantastic!”
International Criminal Law Professor G.J. Knoops told AD-newspaper that the lawsuits against Somali pirates was a ‘priming’ effect. After their sentence they are unlikely to be extradited because of the insecure situation in Somalia.
“This may provide an incentive for hijackers to express to pick up,” says Knoops. “Justice in the Netherlands should fear this phenomenon import. I can not imagine that after their conviction they will ever voluntary return. ”
Source: Elsevier
