Asia/Pacific News
Alleged Bunker Tanker Pirates Plead 'Not Guilty'
Eight men accused of attempting to rob a ship off the coast of Malaysia last month have pleaded "not guilty," Malaysian newspaper The Star reports.
The men, all Indonesians, have been brought to trial at a magistrate's court in Kota Tinggi, and a magistrate has set a date of January 29 for case management.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) arrested the men on December 11 after responding to a report of piracy on the bunker tanker MT Merlion Dua in off the coast of Tanung Stapa in Johor Baru, saying it appeared that they were attempting to steal fuel and valuables.
Juanita Mohd Said of the MMEA prosecuted the case, while the accused did not have defense lawyers.
If found guilty, the men face up to 20 years in jail and whipping.
