Five Somalian citizens found guilty in the court of law in Virginia, for attacking an American army vessel off shore Africa, which is the first trial for piracy in the USA since the 19th century.

The trial was held in the federal court in Norfolk, Virginia. The accused Somalians will have their sentences, which could be life in prison, stated in March 2011.

The defence claimed the accused were just innocent fishermen hijacked by the pirats and forced to shoot upon the American vessel.

The prosecutor, however, reminded the jury that the five Somalians admitted to attacking the American boat “Nicholas” on April 1 by mistake, believing it was a trade ship they could get ransom for.

Boat “Nicholas”, stationed in Norfolk, was part of international flotilla fighting against piracy in waters of Somalia.

Experts say that among the last people trailed for piracy in the US territory were thirteen Southerners from the boat “Savannah”, and that was in New York in 1861.