Armed Robbery vs. Piracy at Sea: Different Crimes, Different Jurisdictions, Different Stakes

Both involve force and theft. But **armed robbery** and **piracy** operate in different legal universes — one domestic, one international; one on land, one on the high seas.

Armed Robbery (Domestic Crime)

• Jurisdiction: Territorial — laws of the country where it occurs
• Location: Land, internal waters, territorial sea (≤12 nm)
• Perpetrators: Individuals or gangs, usually locals
• Targets: People, businesses, homes, vehicles
• Weapons: Guns, knives, blunt objects
• Prosecution: Domestic courts, domestic penalties (years to life)
• Examples: Bank heist, carjacking, home invasion, street mugging

Piracy (International Crime — Jure Gentium)

• Jurisdiction: Universal — **any nation** can prosecute (UNCLOS Art. 105)
• Location: **High seas only** (beyond territorial sea / EEZ)
• Perpetrators: Organized crews, often transnational
• Targets: Vessels, cargo, crew (kidnap for ransom)
• Weapons: AK-47s, RPGs, grappling hooks, motherships, skiffs
• Prosecution: Capturing state's courts, or flag state, or victim state — complex
• Examples: Somali piracy (2008–2012), Strait of Malacca, Gulf of Guinea

Critical Distinction: "Armed Robbery at Sea"

Robbery in **territorial waters** (≤12 nm) = **armed robbery against ships** (IMO term), **not piracy**. Coastal state has exclusive jurisdiction. This matters: Indonesia/Malaysia/Philippines prosecute strait robberies domestically; Somalia piracy required international naval coalitions.

Legal Framework

• UNCLOS Articles 100–107: Piracy definition, universal jurisdiction, seizure rights
• SUA Convention (1988/2005): Criminalizes ship seizure, violence, false flags
• Domestic penal codes: Armed robbery statutes

Why It Matters

Piracy = **hostis humani generis** (enemy of all mankind) — any warship can intervene. Armed robbery = coastal state's problem. The 12-nm line isn't just geography — it's a legal firewall.