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I was lost and found, suspected pirate tells court
[The Nation (Nairobi)] A Somali accused of piracy on Tuesday told the court that he was grateful to the Spanish navy for rescuing him when his boat capsized at sea. But Mr Jama Abdikadir said he was, however, surprised when these "good people" handed him over to the Kenyan authorities for prosecution. Mr Abdikadir told the court that he was a human trafficker not a pirate. Awww, well, why didn't ya say so? When asked by state counsel Mr Jacob Ondari if he knew trafficking was an international crime, he said he was not aware. I...did not know that. "I am not a criminal nor a pirate," said Mr Abdikadir, who with Awil Mohamed, Abdiweli Bare, Shariff Osman, Abdirahman Ahmed, Mohamed Hersi and Noor Hussein are alleged to have attacked the MV Nepheli on May 6 last year. Next time, let the sharks "rescue" him. Senior resident magistrate Mr James Omburah adjourned the case to September 21. In another court, the defence hearing for seven suspected pirates had to be adjourned as their lawyer was not feeling well. Mombasa chief magistrate Ms Rosemelle Mutoka heard that lawyer Mr Donald Muyundo had fallen sick and could not attend the hearing of the case. Ms Mutoka fixed the case for hearing on September 1 and 2. Posted by: Fred 2010-08-11 |
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