Teen Somali pirate sentenced to nearly 34 years
NEW YORK, (AFP) - A teenaged Somali pirate captured in a dramatic high seas operation was sentenced by a US court Wednesday to nearly 34 years in prison, despite defense pleas for leniency due to his young age. Federal Judge Loretta Preska in New York said the sentence of 33 years, nine months for Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse would serve as "general deterrence in this kind of crime." Muse was captured in 2009 at the scene of a dramatic clash between the US navy and Somali pirates holding hostage a US merchant captain, who was eventually rescued. Prosecutors and the judge described Muse as a hardened pirate leader who displayed a cruel streak when he pretended to shoot the US captain of the Maersk Alabama cargo ship. Father of pirate Abdiqadir Muse Gedi Father of pirate Abdiqadir Muse Gedi, is seen in Galkayo town, Somalia, Wednesday, Feb.16, 2011. The parents of a Somali pirate who will be sentenced by a New York court on Wednesday asked that U.S. to authorities conside...