SANA'A // The trial of 12 Somali suspected pirates accused of attempting to hijack a Yemeni oil tanker in April began yesterday at a state security court in Sana'a that handles terrorism-related issues.
The trial, however, was adjourned to October 6 as no translator was available to facilitate communication between the defendants and the court.
"The court accuses these 12 people of hijacking the Yemeni oil tanker Qana while on its way from Mukala port to Aden and battling authorities [when they were intercepted], which led to the killing of sailor Salah al Quaiti and the disappearance of another, as well as the injury of four other sailors," the court statement read.
The defendants, aged between 18 and 47, were unable to communicate with Muhsin Allwan, the judge, who ordered prosecutors to commission a translator and adjourned the trial.
The prosecution called for the maximum penalty for the accused.
Fourteen suspected pirates tried to seize Qana on April 27, the same day it had been freed by the Yemeni navy from other hijackers, who had managed to escape.
Two of them men were killed in the ensuing battle with marines and one was injured, the defence ministry said at the time.
According to the London-based International Maritime Bureau, a total of 130 attacks took place in the Gulf of Aden and in the east coast of Somalia in the first half of this year.
Another 22 Somalis have been on trial since July in the southern port city of Aden on charges of piracy and attempted piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
According to the prosecution, 12 of the suspects were arrested by the Indian navy on December 13 after they commandeered a Yemeni fishing dhow in the Gulf of Aden and took 12 fishermen hostage.
They are also accused of using the boat to launch an attack on an Ethiopian merchant vessel about 295km east of Aden.
The 10 other defendants were captured by the Russian navy on February 12 as they tried to attack an Iranian fishing vessel off the Yemeni island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean.
All 22 of the defendants have denied the charges. Their trial is scheduled to resume next week.
Under Yemeni law, the 12 accused in the Qana hijacking case could receive the death penalty as their alleged crime resulted in the death of two sailors, but the 22 could receive jail sentences ranging from five to 10 years if convicted. Jalal al Sharabi, a journalist who has been following the piracy situation in Somalia, said the Yemeni government was unsure about how the suspected pirates should be prosecuted.
"Yemen, like some other regional countries, does not have a legislation to deal with piracy and therefore is basing the trial on other laws and considering piracy to be an act of banditry, which is punishable by death," he said.
"The government has also put them before a court specialised in terrorism issues, which implies that it considers piracy to be an act of terrorism." A government report said piracy in the Gulf of Aden had cost Yemen US$350 million (Dh1.3 billion) since 2007.
The report, which was carried by the state-run Saba news agency said the government losses from maritime piracy amounted to $150m, which was spent on the purchase of boats for the coastguard, while fishermen suffered losses worth $200m.
malqadhi@thenational.ae
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.