A group of 44 Somali pirates, recently handed life sentences by a Mumbai special court, have formally requested a transfer to Somalia to complete their prison terms. The men, who were convicted on serious charges including attempted murder, kidnapping, and the illegal possession of weapons, were apprehended by the Indian Navy during two separate high-seas operations in late 2023 and early 2024. During their trial, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, which stemmed from their roles in hijacking the Malta-flagged MV Ruen and an Iranian-flagged vessel, where they held crews hostage and engaged in gunfire with naval forces.

Representing the group, the sole English-speaking defendant highlighted the profound struggles they face while incarcerated in India, citing significant language barriers, dietary issues, and the inability of their families to visit. The pirates emphasized their backgrounds of extreme poverty and illiteracy, arguing that a transfer to their home country would alleviate these hardships. While a 2017 bilateral agreement between India and Somalia does allow for the transfer of sentenced individuals, the prosecution clarified that the final decision rests entirely with the Indian government, which must weigh diplomatic protocols and the gravity of the crimes committed.