Global General

7 detained Somalian pirates to be sent to Malaysia for trial

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-01-25 09:04

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed here Monday that seven Somalian pirates, who were seized by the Malaysian armed forces when they were trying to hijack a Malaysian merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden, are expected to be sent to Malaysia next Monday for trial.

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The pirates, who were on their way to Malaysia, are expected to arrive at Port Klang, a major port on southwest coast of the Peninsular Malaysia, on January 31, and will be immediately handed over to the Royal Malaysian Police upon arrival to face trial, state media Bernama quoted the minister as saying on Monday.

A Malaysian merchant ship, MT Bunga Laurel, was attacked by a group of armed Somalian pirates on January 21 midnight when passing through the Gulf of Aden. The armed forces on the Royal Malaysian Navy auxiliary ship, Bunga Mas 5, which was on duty to protect the ship, made a swift fightback against the pirates.

Twenty-three crew members were successfully rescued without bloody injuries while seven pirates were detained by the Malaysian armed forces during the battle.