Sixty pirates hailing from Somalia and Ethiopia and arrested by the Indian Navy in 2011 today sought leniency as they recorded their statements before a court here.
Barring one, all of them have already pleaded guilty.
"The court recorded their pleas under section 313 of Criminal Procedure Code," said special public prosecutor Ranjeet Sangle.
Under section 313, an accused can explain (in person) any circumstance appearing in the evidence against him or her at the end of the trial.
One of the accused addressed the court in Hindi, which he has picked up in prison. Others spoke with the help of an interpreter provided by the Somali embassy.
Muktar Ali, a Somali national, said he wanted to meet his family and did not even know whether they were alive.
"Jo maine kiya woh gunha hai aur mainne kabul kar liya hai. Main aapse maafi chahta hoon, agar woh na mile toh kam se kam sazaa mile (I committed a crime and I have admitted to it. I plead for pardon, and if that is not possible, give me the least possible punishment)," Muktar told the court.
He also helped some other fellow Somalians put forth their statements before the court.
Mohammed Mire, the only accused who has not pleaded guilty, said he was forced by the pirates to communicate using the radio after he was abducted.
He said he was in jail since 2011 and wanted to meet his three sisters and parents.
A total of 120 pirates were caught by the Navy and Coast Guard between January and March 2011 and charged under the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. One of them died during the ongoing trial.
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