Interpreter rejected in piracy case

The services of a Spanish interpreter hired by the UN to assist in the trial of seven Somalis facing piracy charges were yesterday rejected by a Mombasa court.

This followed a successful application by defence counsel Jared Magolo, who questioned the UN’s motive.

“What assurance is there that it will not to be stage-managed?” asked Mr Magolo, adding that the court had a list of interpreters at its service.

The interpreter had been hired to translate the prosecution witness’ evidence from Spanish to English. Senior resident magistrate Rose Makungu stood down the witness and instructed the criminal registry to provide a Spanish interpreter.

The prosecution, however, called its first witness, the captain of a Spanish warship who testified in English.

Mr Alfonso Gomes told the court he received a distress call from a vessel that it was under attack from a small boat. He said his warship responded to the call and managed to rescue the vessel and capture its seven attackers.

The hearing continues.