The accused, including a minor of 14, attempted to hijack the 47,000-dwt Torm Kansas (built 2006) and Zhong Ji's 46,000-dwt chemical carrier Zhongji No. 1 (built 2008) in November, 2013.

They had been released last year by the Danish government and promised compensation of DKK 19,600 ($3,247) for delays in bringing them to court.

Judge Mohan Niranjit Burhan rejected the defence's argument that the nine accused were merely fishermen.

“There