TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS~**SCHEDULE NEWS PROGRAMMING ONLY, NO RE-USE AFTER JUNE 22, 2012*~<br/> <br />Six suspected members of a Somali pirate gang are going on trial in Paris on Tuesday.<br/> <br />They're charged with the hijacking a French luxury yacht in 2008 -- one of the highest-profile acts of piracy off the East African coast in recent years.<br/> <br />But the defense lawyer says a large group seized control of the Ponant yacht in April 2008 -- and asks why only these six men are taking the blame.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (French) DEFENCE LAWYER CEDRIC ALEPEE SAYING:<br/> <br />"Several dozen pirates were present on the Ponant. Six people were arrested so there is a problem. Why was there no investigation carried out in order to at least identify or arrest the people who were really on the Ponant?"<br/> <br />The six captured members were seized by a small group of elite French troops on land after a ransom had been paid.<br/> <br />The raid was recorded by the French military and pictures were released at the time.<br/> <br />If convicted the six men could face life in prison.<br/> <br />Travis Brecher, Reuters
