Somali pirates convicted in U.S. courts

This week a number of Somali pirates arrested by U.S. troops and put on trial in American courts have been sentenced to life in prison.

Muhidin Salad Omar, 30, and Mahdi Jama Mohamed, 24, were convicted for their role in the hijacking of the yacht Quest and the subsequent murder of four Americans earlier this year.

The following day Mohamed Salad Ali, the group’s leader, was given two concurrent life sentences.

Two accomplices got life sentences in August, seven other members of the gang have pleaded guilty and are awaiting mandatory life sentences, while three others face the death penalty if convicted of murder.

Scott and Jean Adam, owners of the Quest, and their companions Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay were all shot dead as U.S. Navy sailors negotiated with the pirates for their release in February.

It was the first time Americans had been killed in an encounter with Somali pirates and a clear sign of the growing aggression of the pirates.

“A life sentence sends a strong message to anyone who chooses to engage in piracy against U.S. interests that they will face severe consequences," said U.S. attorney Neil MacBride after the men were sentenced by a court in Norfolk, Virginia.

The BBC has an interesting exploration of what life might be like inside America’s jails for Somalia’s convicted pirates.

While feeling sympathy for armed murderers might be a step too far, the story adds some nuance to the complacent assumption that Somalis who end up in U.S. jails are getting an easy ride having escaped the chaos of their homeland.