Mauritius has put on trial 12 Somali pirates who were arrested early this year off the Horn of African country. The office of the public prosecutor said on Wednesday that the 12 were accused of \"engaging in acts of piracy in high seas\" in violation of the Mauritius\' 2011 maritime law. The hearing of the case is expected to begin in September this year. During their first appearance in court, the Somalis denied allegations that they were pirates, affirming that they were just simple fishermen. The 12 suspected pirates were arrested on Jan. 5 during an operation by the U.S. marines, who were responding to a distress call from a cargo ship being attacked in the Somali waters.