Definition of piracy at center of Va. hearing

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

30 Jul 2010

A judge is considering a defense bid to toss piracy charges against six Somali nationals accused in an attack on a U.S. Navy ship. At a hearing in Norfolk, U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson questioned a government lawyer Thursday about whether the alleged attack on the USS Ashland on April 10 constituted piracy. He said he would rule on a defense motion within weeks.
The piracy count is the most serious facing the six defendants and carries a mandatory life term.
On a separate motion, Jackson refused to move the trial out of Norfolk, which has a big military presence.
All the Ashland defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Five other Somali nationals are accused in a separate alleged attack on the USS Nichola

Source: Associated Press