Court extends police custody of Somali pirates till Feb 21

Mumbai, Feb 14 (PTI) A local court today extended thepolice custody of five of the 28 suspected Somali piratesarrested on February 6 off the coast of Lakshwadeep Island.

The Yellow gate police said that the accused Hurfe Noor(41) was the group leader, while the others - Atoor Bare (18),Ahmed Usman (28), Shidaad Mohomed (29), Mag Roble (25) - werehis main associates.

The court extended their custody till February 21, theysaid.

According to police, they have asked the SomalianConsulate to provide them with an interpreter for questioning.

"The Somalian consulate have not replied back," QuaiserKhalid, Deputy Police Commissioner (Port Zone) said.

The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard had apprehended 52men, including the 28 suspected Somali pirates, on board aship after a brief gun-battle near the Lakshwadeep Islands.