ID :
158994
Sat, 02/05/2011 - 12:37
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Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/158994
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Somali pirate closer to admitting to charges of shooting captain
BUSAN, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- A Somali pirate accused of shooting the captain of a hijacked South Korean freighter during last month's rescue operation told investigators that he was carrying a firearm with him at the time, officials said Saturday, a possible sign that he may reverse himself and confess to the shooting.
The statement from Arai Mahomed, 23, contrasts with his persistent claims so far that he did not even had a gun with him during the Jan. 21 commando rescue raid, let alone firing on the captain of the 11,500-ton chemical carrier Samho Jewelry.
The change in Mahomed's statements came as the four colleague pirates captured together with him accused him of shooting the captain. Investigators said they have also tried to convince him to admit to the charges, saying he could have lighter punishment if he makes a confession.
Mahomed has been the focus of the investigation of the five pirates brought to South Korea Jan. 31. They were caught alive when South Korean naval commandos stormed the freighter to free the vessel and its 21 crew members. Eight other pirates were killed in the raid.
All crew members were rescued alive, though the captain, Seok Hae-kyun, suffered serious gunshot wounds.
In the first days of the investigation, Mahomed had briefly confessed to shooting the 58-year-old captain, but later took the statement back and kept denying the charges, saying that he did not even touch a gun at the time.
The other pirates and South Korean crew members have consistently pinpointed Mahomed as the one who shot the captain.
"The fact that Arai changed his statement suggests that his mind is wavering seriously," an investigator said. "In many cases, suspects of serious crimes strongly deny charges against them initially out of fears of punishment, but a small change in their mind often leads to them making a full confession."
Officials said that the probe is in the final stage and investigators are now rounding up their findings. Investigators plan to refer the pirates to prosecutors on Tuesday for indictment. If convicted, they could face up to a life sentence under South Korean law.
Meanwhile, Capt. Seok, who was shot in the abdomen, arms and legs, is still in serious but stable condition. Seok received surgery twice in Oman before being airlifted to South Korea on Jan. 29.
Four days after undergoing a third round of surgery in South Korea, Seok briefly regained consciousness on Thursday, but was put back on a respirator on Friday morning following breathing difficulties and signs of pneumonia complications, according to officials at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon south of Seoul.
If signs of pneumonia and other complications persist, doctors will have to wait a couple more weeks to carry out another round of surgery on him, hospital officials said.
The statement from Arai Mahomed, 23, contrasts with his persistent claims so far that he did not even had a gun with him during the Jan. 21 commando rescue raid, let alone firing on the captain of the 11,500-ton chemical carrier Samho Jewelry.
The change in Mahomed's statements came as the four colleague pirates captured together with him accused him of shooting the captain. Investigators said they have also tried to convince him to admit to the charges, saying he could have lighter punishment if he makes a confession.
Mahomed has been the focus of the investigation of the five pirates brought to South Korea Jan. 31. They were caught alive when South Korean naval commandos stormed the freighter to free the vessel and its 21 crew members. Eight other pirates were killed in the raid.
All crew members were rescued alive, though the captain, Seok Hae-kyun, suffered serious gunshot wounds.
In the first days of the investigation, Mahomed had briefly confessed to shooting the 58-year-old captain, but later took the statement back and kept denying the charges, saying that he did not even touch a gun at the time.
The other pirates and South Korean crew members have consistently pinpointed Mahomed as the one who shot the captain.
"The fact that Arai changed his statement suggests that his mind is wavering seriously," an investigator said. "In many cases, suspects of serious crimes strongly deny charges against them initially out of fears of punishment, but a small change in their mind often leads to them making a full confession."
Officials said that the probe is in the final stage and investigators are now rounding up their findings. Investigators plan to refer the pirates to prosecutors on Tuesday for indictment. If convicted, they could face up to a life sentence under South Korean law.
Meanwhile, Capt. Seok, who was shot in the abdomen, arms and legs, is still in serious but stable condition. Seok received surgery twice in Oman before being airlifted to South Korea on Jan. 29.
Four days after undergoing a third round of surgery in South Korea, Seok briefly regained consciousness on Thursday, but was put back on a respirator on Friday morning following breathing difficulties and signs of pneumonia complications, according to officials at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon south of Seoul.
If signs of pneumonia and other complications persist, doctors will have to wait a couple more weeks to carry out another round of surgery on him, hospital officials said.
