Mohammad Saaili Shibin has just been found guilty for his role in the hijacking of a yacht that ended with the deaths of four Americans.
Shibin is the highest ranking pirate ever captured. He worked as the negotiator between the pirates and investigators.
“Mr. Shibin’s actions resulted in the cold blooded execution of four Americans aboard their own yacht, a form of terrorism on the high seas,” said Janice K. Fedarcyk, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office. “Today’s verdict should send a clear message to pirate negotiators and financiers alike, no matter what your role – in a pirate skiff or demanding ransom from the shores of Somalia – you are not beyond the reach of American justice.”
He has been charged with two counts of piracy under the law of nations, two counts of conspiracy to commit hostage taking, two counts of hostage taking, two counts of conspiracy to commit violence against maritime navigation, two counts of violence against maritime navigation, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, and three counts of use, carry, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Eight of those charges carry a life sentence.
