(16 Feb 2011) HEADLINE: Somali pirate gets more than 33 years in prison
CAPTION: A Somali pirate who kidnapped and brutalized the captain of a U.S.-flagged merchant ship off the coast of Africa in 2009 was sentenced to more than 33 years in prison. (Feb. 16)
NB. THIS IS A VOICEOVER TRANSCRIPT, NOT A FULL SHOTLIST
A JUDGE HAS SENTENCED THE CAPTAIN OF A BAND OF PIRATES TO nearly
34 YEARS IN A US PRISON.
THAT'S THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE.
PROSECUTORS SAY THE PUNISHMENT WAS NECESSARY TO DETER OTHER
PIRATES FROM ATTACKING U.S. SHIPS.
ABDIWALI ABDIQUADIR MUSE PLED GUILTY TO HIJACKING, KIDNAPPING AND
OTHER CHARGES.
IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS PLEA, THE GOVERNMENT DROPPED THE PIRACY COUNT.
IF CONVICTED OF PIRACY, HE WOULD HAVE FACED A MANDATORY LIFE
SENTENCE.
COLIN WRIGHT, THIRD OFFICER ABOARD THE PIRATED VESSEL, THE 'MAERSK
ALABAMA,' SPOKE IN COURT IN FAVOR OF THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE.
"Nearly 34 years seems like a short time for the pain and trauma
that he and his companions have caused...he knew exactly what he was
doing, he was in charge of the group, he was the first one to scale
the ship, and to be on board, he gave orders and they followed his orders."
A SPOKESMAN FROM MAERSK AGREED
"We are pleased with the sentence that was issued by the court.'
THE DEFENSE ARGUED THAT DUE TO SOMALIA'S EXTREME POVERTY AND
DESPERATION, MUSE SHOULD RECEIVE A LESSER SENTENCE.
THE THREE OTHER MEN WHO TOOK OVER THE SHIP WITH MUSE WERE SHOT
DEAD BY US NAVY SHARPSHOOTERS.
TED SHAFFREY, ASSOCIATED PRESS, NEW YORK
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