NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A federal jury has convicted a Somali man of piracy for his role as a hostage negotiator in the hijacking of an American yacht.
Mohammad Saaili Shibin was convicted of piracy, kidnapping and hostage-taking in the 2011 hijacking of the Quest off the coast of Africa. All four Americans on board were shot and killed.
He was also convicted Friday of piracy and several other charges for the hijacking of a German merchant ship in 2010. Prosecutors said he received at least $30,000 for his role as a negotiator in that case.
He faces a mandatory life sentence on the piracy charges. He will be sentenced in August.
Shibin’s attorney says he plans to appeal.
