What happened
A Mumbai court has sentenced 18 Somali pirates to life imprisonment in the hijacking of the merchant vessel Ruen. The case is the first prosecution brought under India’s Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022 and is being treated as a major test of the new anti-piracy law.
Background and earlier position
The Ruen was seized in the Arabian Sea in March 2024 while carrying cargo from Saudi Arabia to a port in Europe. The pirates were arrested after a security operation involving the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. A special court dealing with maritime security offences prosecuted the case.
Why the ruling matters
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