Dutch prosecutors on Wednesday demanded seven-year sentences against a group of alleged Somali pirates on trial in the Netherlands, in the first such case of its kind in Europe.
Five Somalis, aged between 25 and 45, were facing charges at the district court in Rotterdam. They are accused of attacking a Turkish freighter sailing under a Netherlands Antilles flag with rocket launchers and other weapons in January 2009.
The seven-year sentences demanded by the prosecution are just two years short of the maximum penalty available for the offence.
The alleged ringleader may still receive a 12-year sentence if found guilty.
All the accused pled not guilty at the start of the trial, saying they were only going to the aid of a boat in distress.
A verdict is expect on June 16.
The Turkish crew of the freighter, Samanyolu, had fired at the pirate boat, setting it alight and eventually sinking it.
A Danish helicopter then fished the pirates out of the water.
source: DPA
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