Mario B Posted December 3, 2012 Judge: US has jurisdiction in Somali murder trial NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled Somalia's territorial waters extend only 12 miles from shore, allowing the U.S. to continue its prosecution of the murders of four Americans aboard their pirated yacht. The owners of the yacht and their friends were killed in 2011 about 40 miles off the coast of Somalia. A band of pirates had taken them hostage in hopes of ransoming them for millions of dollars. Defense attorneys for the men charged in the killings contended Somalia's territorial waters extend 200 miles from shore, based on its domestic legislation. But prosecutors noted Somalia signed a treaty agreeing to a 12-mile limit. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith denied a motion seeking to have the murder charges dismissed. If convicted, the men could face the death penalty. http://news.yahoo.com/judge-us-jurisdiction-somali-murder-trial-160104195.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mario B Posted December 3, 2012 ^ Could you expand on that please? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted December 3, 2012 The law on Somali territorial sea permits 200 nautical miles out into the sea and this is not challenged by any country or international body apart the manufactured dispute with Kenya. What Somalia lacks proper institutions to enforce its sovereignty over these waters. The US District ruling has no bearing on the legality of the Somali sea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mario B Posted December 3, 2012 Apophis;895589 wrote: In sum, a US court doesn't have the power to set a country's sea "border". God I hate dumb people. Direct your insults at Alpha, you little 'Kikuyu' traitor!! Che, so what treaty is the prosecutor referring to when he notes that Somalia signed a treaty agreeing to a 12-mile limit? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted December 3, 2012 Mario..I think he's referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Che -Guevara Posted December 3, 2012 Under the 1972 Declaration on the Territorial Sea, the Somali Government does have sovereignty over waters covering 200 nautical miles from the coast but the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) states that a country can exercise sovereignty only 12 nautical miles from the coast. In other words, beyond the 12 miles, people are not subject to Somali law. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nin-Yaaban Posted December 3, 2012 Che -Guevara;895587 wrote: The law on Somali territorial sea permits 200 nautical miles out into the sea and this is not challenged by any country or international body apart the manufactured dispute with Kenya. What Somalia lacks proper institutions to enforce its sovereignty over these waters. The US District ruling has no bearing on the legality of the Somali sea. +2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mario B Posted December 3, 2012 Apophis;895592 wrote: Maybe you shouldn't ask questions expected of a 15 year old then huh?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nin-Yaaban Posted December 3, 2012 Mario B;895591 wrote: Direct your insults at Alpha, you little 'Kikuyu' traitor!! Che, so what treaty is the prosecutor referring to when he notes that Somalia signed a treaty agreeing to a 12-mile limit? That's no surprise bro. The government that was in power at the time probably signed that treaty. And if i had to guess, its was probably during the piracy stuff that was going on wakhtigaas. Makes you think how many other legally binding agreements we have with foreign governments that people wouldn't know about it until something like this happens. P.S. i heard that guy got 12 life sentences. O'well, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mario B Posted December 3, 2012 Apophis;895599 wrote: Come on Forrest Gump, use your words not pics; you're not in nursery anymore. Stop projecting, you're the one who introduced ill-temper to this thread.:rolleyes: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mario B Posted December 3, 2012 Nin-Yaaban;895600 wrote: That's no surprise bro. The government that was in power at the time probably signed that treaty. And if i had to guess, its was probably during the piracy stuff that was going on wakhtigaas. Makes you think how many other legally binding agreements we have with foreign governments that people wouldn't know about it until something like this happens. P.S. i heard that guy got 12 life sentences. O'well, I hope this is just a scare and the government will get on top of the matter, the President needs to issue a statement...knowing his communication skills though he may decide to stay silent on the matter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites