Alondra Rainbow hijackers denied bail

FEBRUARY 10: The Sessions Court today rejected the bail application of the 15 Indonesian pirates who have been charged with hijacking Indo...

FEBRUARY 10: The Sessions Court today rejected the bail application of the 15 Indonesian pirates who have been charged with hijacking Indonesian vessel, M V Alondra Rainbow. The police will file a chargesheet against the pirates on February 16.

Additional Sessions Judge H S Deshpande observed that since the accused were of foreign origin, it would be impossible to “expect them to be present for the trial if released on bail”. M V Alondra Rainbow, en route to Japan to deliver a 7,000 mt aluminium ingot consignment, was hijacked on October 22, 1999.

Defence advocate Anand Jhondhale argued that the accused were in international waters when the Indian Navy and Coast Guard apprehended the vessel. Jhondhale also said the accused were not hijackers but innocents.

Public prosecutor Vidya Kasale countered that a complaint was lodged with the Piracy Reporting Centre, Kualalampur, Malaysia, on November 3, 1999, which in turn flashed the news all over the world. The vessel was apprehended on November 13. “The hijackers changed the name and colour of the vessel and even forged documents but they couldn’t change the ship’s engine number,” she said.

Names of the pirates

Christinaus Aeros Mintodo

Eka Dharma Abraham Suchito

Estfanus Hemming Herroh Humiang

Fraus Junus Albarto Yanes

Dandung Ari Kurniwan

Burhan Nanda

Erick Pnatema Alex Pritima

Dennis Sapandi

Christo Matias Goha

Piether Nanda Buenga Julias Tambing

Johan Kanthoha Timi Kantoha

David Wandra Putra

Richard Assah John Assah

Imbrun Riyah

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