Somali pirates tried under 17th century law

Somali pirates tried under 17th century law :

Five Somali men went on trial in a Dutch court for the 17th century crime of “sea robbery” Tuesday in Europe’s first piracy trial since a surge of attacks on shipping off the Somalia’s lawless coast. One defendant wept and shouted that poverty had forced him into his situation.

That's a pretty sad defense, since almost all robberies can be justified that way.

Maybe you remember the song lyrics:

Breaking rocks in the hot sun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I needed money 'cause I had none
I fought the law and the law won

The pirates could get up to 12 years in prison.

17th Century law? Hey, it's an old crime.