Japan to Try Tanker Pirates

Japanese news reports say Tokyo is planning to fly in four pirates held in Oman to face charges for attacking an oil tanker in the Indian Ocean.

The pirates attacked the Japanese-owned oil tanker, Guanabara, late Saturday in the Indian Ocean off Oman. They were overpowered by American navy commandos Sunday morning without a shot being fired. The U.S. destroyer Bulkeley, along with a Turkish warship, rushed to the scene in response to a distress signal from the tanker.

The Guanabara , with an international crew of 24, was on itsway from Ukraine to China when it was attacked. None of the crew members was injured.

Japan now plans to bring in the suspects for a trial, which would make use for the first time of a 2009 anti-piracy law.

Under that Japanese law, defendants face prison sentences ranging from five years to life.