Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Somali pirate leader gets Life for murder of cruising sailors

by Des Ryan on 17 Dec 2011
Quest SW
The leader of the thirteen pirates who were captured and pleaded guilty to the murder of four American cruising sailors has, along with one other pirate, been found guilty and sentenced in US federal court to life in prison

Leader of the pirate group, Mohamud Hirs Issa Ali, a 32-year-old also known as Sanadaaq, had pleaded guilty to piracy and hostage-taking resulting in death, while 20-year-old Jilani Abdiali, known as Ilkasse, had pleaded guilty to piracy in Eastern District Court of Virginia in the city of Norfolk.

The sentences were the latest in the attack on the Quest yacht. The first life sentences were handed down in August.

Californians Jean and Scott Adam, were sailing their vessel around the world and planned to visit sites from India to Crete when they were hijacked by 19 men off the coast of Oman. On board they had cruising friends Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay of Seattle.

According to the Navy, pirates launched a rocket-propelled grenade and, as US forces headed to the hijacked yacht, shot the four sailors, who had not offered provocation.

The attack was by far the most serious pirate attack in the long and sordid and tragic story of Somali piracy. The four cruising sailors, travelling in a rally around the world, became the first Americans to die in the raft of hijackings over recent years off the Somali coast. Most incidents have been resolved through the payment of ransom, albeit sometimes after protracted negotiations.

'These men willingly joined this group of pirates out of greed, knowing full well that their actions could -- and did -- lead to the death of their hostages,' US Attorney Neil MacBride said in a statement, according to Breibart.

'They will spend their lives in prison for what they willingly chose to do and the lifetime of suffering and pain they thrust on the victims' loved ones.'

Ali admitted in court that he commanded the pirate ship when it left Somalia, transferring the pirates and weapons to the Quest using a skiff.

He also carried an AK-47 assault rifle to guard the hostages and ordered another pirate to fire the rocket-propelled grenade toward a US Navy vessel attempting the rescue. But Ali, who got two concurrent life terms, said he did not personally shoot or order the shooting of the Americans.

Abdiali admitted that he was involved in piracy for financial gain, and also claimed he did not shoot any of the Americans himself, or order any one else to shoot them.

It is known that immediately after the shooting, a large group of pirates emerged and went to the bow of the Quest with their hands held over their heads.

The pirates who did the actual shooting are expected to come before the court next year, and prosecutors have yet to indicate whether they will ask for the death penalty.

The only cruising sailors known to be in pirates hands currently are the South African sailors Bruno Pelizzaro and his girlfriend Deborah Calitz, who have been in pirate custody for more than a year, after being kidnapped off the African coast in October 2010.

Sea Sure 2025Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER

Related Articles

49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 3
A six-hour bake on the water Veteran and multi-Olympic race officer Sulis was clear at the morning briefing, "Our priority is to get three races for the 49er so they can progress to the gold fleet."
Posted today at 8:33 pm
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 3
Platoon Aviation turn up the heat but don't dent American Magic Quantum Racing's lead After a disappointing first regatta of the season when they finished in an uncharacteristic last position in Saint-Tropez, the fortunes of the German flagged 2023 52 SUPER SERIES overall champions Platoon Aviation seem to have turned for the better.
Posted today at 8:15 pm
Diverse international fleet for 5th AEGEAN 600
The race start is a little over 1 month away In a sign that this newest of the world's 600-mile classic offshore races has reached maturity, organizers from the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club are pleased to announce yet another large international fleet will be assembled for the 2025 AEGEAN 600.
Posted today at 6:03 pm
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup.
Posted today at 2:50 pm
SailGP: Media Conference concludes in New York
The media conference ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix has concluded, without any speci The media conference ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix has concluded, without any special points being revealed, save for Brazil lending a crew member to Germany.
Posted today at 1:37 pm
A decade of pushing the boundaries at A+T
Celebrating 10 years of the world's best yacht instruments 2025 marks a decade of pushing the boundaries of quality and customer service in the global yachting industry for A+T Instruments.
Posted today at 11:00 am
Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds Take the Helm
As Co-Owners of the 'BONDS Flying Roos' Australia's SailGP Team Today Australia's three-time SailGP champions have unveiled a new identity as well as two new co-owners - Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds - who join Driver and CEO Tom Slingsby in leading the freshly rebranded BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team.
Posted today at 10:56 am
Should SailGP ditch the wings?
As SailGP resumes in New York this weekend, we ask the question As SailGP resumes in New York this weekend, we ask the question of whether the F50's solid wingsails should be ditched and replaced instead with twin-skin mainsails, in a similar way to what is used on the AC75 and AC40 of the America's Cup.
Posted today at 10:48 am
CYCA and RFBYC announce partnership
To host Australia's premier match racing events The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club are pleased to announce a joint partnership between the two Clubs to host Australia's premier match racing events in January each year.
Posted today at 9:55 am
Port Phillip Double-Handed Perpetual Cup
66 sailors on 33 boats take part in one of sailing's more demanding formats Melbourne was at her autumnal best on Sunday the 18th of May delivering ideal conditions for the 2025 Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's (ORCV) Double-Handed Yacht Race around Port Phillip.
Posted today at 8:45 am