Somali Pirate Sentenced for 71-Day Hijacking

(CN) - A Somali pirate was sentenced in Washington, D.C., Thursday to 25 years in prison for the 71-day siege of a Danish ship in the Gulf of Aden.

Jama Idle Ibrahim aka Jaamac Ciidle, 39, pleaded guilty on Sept. 8 to conspiracy to commit piracy under the law of nations and conspiracy to use a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The sentence, which reflects the maximum penalties for each charge, will run concurrently with the 30-year term tacked on by a federal judge in Norfolk, Va., on Nov. 29. Ibrahim had pleaded guilty three months prior to participating in an April pirate attack on the USS Ashland that was also passing through the Gulf of Aden.

Thursday's sentencing stems from Ibrahim's role in the Nov. 7, 2008, pirate capture of the M/V CEC Future. Clipper Group, of Denmark, owned the ship, which was transporting cargo for Texas-based McDermott International.

After using AK-47s, a rocket-propelled grenade and handguns to seize the vessel, the pirates held the cargo and 13 crew members as hostage for 71 days, until Clipper Group delivered a $1.7 million ransom.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit