Piracy Definition Central to Va. Hearing

NORFOLK, Va. - The government is scheduled to make its case that six Somali nationals accused in an attack on a U.S. Navy ship committed piracy.

That is a central point to be argued Thursday before a judge in Norfolk, Virginia. Several other defense motions will also be heard.

The six defendants are accused in the April 10 attack on the USS Ashland. Attorneys for the men contend they did not seize or plunder the ship and therefore did not commit piracy.

All the Ashland defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include mandatory life terms if convicted of piracy.

Five other Somali nationals are accused in a separate alleged attack on the USS Nicholas. The Virginia-based ships were patrolling pirate-infested waters off Africa.