6 Somali pirates face preliminary charges in France

Paris court officials say investigating judges have filed preliminary charges against six Somali pirates accused of holding 30 hostages aboard a French luxury yacht for a week.

The six suspects face preliminary charges including hostage-taking, hijacking and theft.

The crew of Le Ponant yacht was freed April 11 off the coast of Somalia. The ship's owners reportedly paid a ransom to get the crew released. A French military helicopter then chased and captured six of the alleged pirates. They were brought to France this week.

The suspects could face up to life in prison if convicted of the charges filed Friday. They are aged 21 to 46.