BERBERA, Somalia Sep 8 (Garowe Online) - A court in Somalia's breakaway northwestern region of Somaliland has sentenced five suspects to 15 years each, after the court convicted the men of plotting a pirate attack near the port of Berbera.

Osman Dahir, Berbera Court chairman, told Radio Garowe during a Monday interview that the five suspects were convicted after police found two speedboats and weapons including rocket launchers at their home.

The suspects were arrested on September 2 in Berbera. [ Full story]

"Another suspect, who is not in custody, was sentenced to 15 years also," Mr. Dahir said, without naming the missing suspect.

The weapons and equipment the suspected pirates wanted to use for future attacks were handed over to Somaliland security forces, according to the Berbera Court chairman.

Piracy is a major problem in Puntland, a neighboring region in northeastern Somalia where local pirates are currently holding upwards of 10 foreign vessels for ransom.

Source: Garowe Online