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Court frames charges against
15 Indonesian pirates: PTI

A Bombay court Friday framed charges against 15 Indonesian pirates who had allegedly hijacked the Japanese cargo ship Alondra Rainbow in 1999-end.

Each of the 15 alleged pirates pleaded not guilty before additional principal sessions judge R R Vachha, who adjourned the case for recording of evidence on February 22.

Summons have been issued to witnesses and a trial is all set to begin on that day, according to special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat.

Since the pirates do not understand English or Hindi, the Indonesian consulate has agreed to explain the contents of the chargesheet to each of them in their local Bahasa language.

The court had earlier ruled that it had the jurisdiction to try the pirates for offences allegedly committed by them in Indian territorial waters.

Aggrieved by the court's order, the pirates sought time till Friday, to file an appeal, but did not do so.

The court had last month rejected their plea for discharge as there was prima facie evidence against them.

The accused are Christianus Aeros Mintodo, Eka Dharma, Estafanus Homiang Harson, Frans Junus Umboh, Anton Yenes Albarto, Dandung Ari, Burhan Nanda, Erick Prathama, Dannis Supandi, Christo Matias Goha, Piether Randa Buenga, Johan Kanthone, Devid Wandra Putra, Richardo John and Imbrun Rosadi.

The case has generated world-wide attention because it is very rare that pirates are caught, legal experts say.

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