Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NAIROBI592
2006-02-09 11:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
US-CAPTURED SOMALI PIRATES' TRIAL CONFIRMED
VZCZCXRO1438 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHNR #0592 0401153 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 091153Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9466 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 3852 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0179 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHDC PRIORITY RHRMAAE/SOCCENT FWD BAHRAIN PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 6886 RUCQSOC/USCINCSOC MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//J5// PRIORITY RUCXONI/ONI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHRMDBA/MARCENT COORD ELEM BAHRAIN PRIORITY RUCNFB/DIRFBI WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY RUCJBBA/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000592
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHSA MOPS EAID ASEC PTER PREL SO KE
SUBJECT: US-CAPTURED SOMALI PIRATES' TRIAL CONFIRMED
REF: NAIROBI 526
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000592
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHSA MOPS EAID ASEC PTER PREL SO KE
SUBJECT: US-CAPTURED SOMALI PIRATES' TRIAL CONFIRMED
REF: NAIROBI 526
1. (SBU) The trial of 10 Somali pirates (reftel) began
February 8 in Mombasa, as scheduled, with lawyers for the
suspects arguing that the Kenyan judicial system did not have
the authority to try the men. In a February 9 ruling,
however, the presiding magistrate ruled in favor of the
prosecution's argument that as a party to the UN Convention
on the Law of the Sea, Kenya has the right to prosecute.
Declining to acquit the Somalis, the magistrate affirmed that
the trial will take place and is scheduled to commence
February 14. Four of the Indian seamen are expected to be
called as witnesses early in the proceedings.
2. (SBU) The pirates have retained five lawyers to represent
them in court, although the circumstances under which they
were hired are unclear. One official close to the case
suggested that, given the strength of Somali clan ties, the
pirates may be supported by clansmen resident in the Mombasa
area. Indicative of the high-level at which this case is
being handled in the Kenyan Government, the prosecution is
being directed from the Attorney General's office in Nairobi
with the Assistant Deputy Public Prosecutor taking the lead.
BELLAMY
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHSA MOPS EAID ASEC PTER PREL SO KE
SUBJECT: US-CAPTURED SOMALI PIRATES' TRIAL CONFIRMED
REF: NAIROBI 526
1. (SBU) The trial of 10 Somali pirates (reftel) began
February 8 in Mombasa, as scheduled, with lawyers for the
suspects arguing that the Kenyan judicial system did not have
the authority to try the men. In a February 9 ruling,
however, the presiding magistrate ruled in favor of the
prosecution's argument that as a party to the UN Convention
on the Law of the Sea, Kenya has the right to prosecute.
Declining to acquit the Somalis, the magistrate affirmed that
the trial will take place and is scheduled to commence
February 14. Four of the Indian seamen are expected to be
called as witnesses early in the proceedings.
2. (SBU) The pirates have retained five lawyers to represent
them in court, although the circumstances under which they
were hired are unclear. One official close to the case
suggested that, given the strength of Somali clan ties, the
pirates may be supported by clansmen resident in the Mombasa
area. Indicative of the high-level at which this case is
being handled in the Kenyan Government, the prosecution is
being directed from the Attorney General's office in Nairobi
with the Assistant Deputy Public Prosecutor taking the lead.
BELLAMY