Seven suspected Somali pirates on Wednesday pleaded not guilty in Kuala Lumpur High Court to charges of shooting at Malaysian troops on board a tanker in Gulf of Aden in 2011.
The seven were accused of discharging firearms with intent to cause harm or death, which carries a maximum penalty of death.
The suspects allegedly boarded the Malaysian-operated chemical tanker MT Bunga Laurel, armed with guns on January 20, 2011 in the sea about 600 kilometres off Muscat, Oman.
Commandos from a Royal Malaysian Navy auxiliary ship, who were tasked to protect Malaysia's interests in the area, stormed the tanker a few hours later and captured the pirates.
The tanker was carrying lubricating oil and ethylene dichloride and was on its way to Singapore at the time.