WAM Abu Dhabi, Feb 25th, 2013 (WAM) -- The Abu Dhabi Federal Appeal Court today accepted the appeal case in form and rejected it in merit over the case of 10 pirates convicted in hijacking the Ship "MV Arrilah-1" in the Arabian Sea, east of Oman, on April 1, 2011.

It upheld the ruling of the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of First Instance Court, which had sentenced 10 defendants to the life imprisonment, deportation and ordered the confiscation of all arms and ammunition used in hijacking of the ship.

The special counter terrorism unit had stormed the ship in coordination with the US Fifth Fleet to rescue the ship and crew, as well as apprehend the pirates.

WAM/HH/MN