Somali man in isolation for more than one year
Somali man who pleaded guilty to hostage-taking last year in the hijacking of a U.S.-flagged ship has been held in isolation for more year after he allegedly ordered from jail that the captain of another ship be killed, according to court documents.
Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse, 21 years old, pleaded guilty last May to hostage-taking and conspiracy in the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama in the Indian Ocean in April 2009.
In court papers filed Wednesday, his lawyers said the U.S. Attorney General determined that Mr. Muse should be held under so-called “special administrative measures” in January 2010 after a probe into whether he had instructed pirate crew members to kill another boat captain.
The government determined two phone calls by Mr. Muse while in custody corroborated the threat, his lawyers said in court papers.
“The two prison calls identified by the government do not provide proof of any such threat,” his lawyers said. “We believe the government has misinterpreted these calls. We do acknowledge, however, that Abduwali discussed piracy matters over the phone.”
Mr. Muse is no longer subject to the restrictive measures, but remains in solitary confinement at a federal jail in lower Manhattan, his lawyers said.
The threat was revealed in a filing seeking leniency in his sentencing. Mr. Muse faces 27 years to 33 years, nine months in prison under a stipulated sentencing guidelines range.
His lawyers have asked for the low end of the range, 27 years. Sentencing is scheduled for later this month.
Three pirates were killed by U.S. Navy SEAL snipers in April 2009, ending a five-day hostage standoff and freeing Richard Phillips, the captain of the Maersk Alabama. A fourth pirate-Mr. Muse-was taken into custody by the U.S. Navy before the standoff ended and later brought to the U.S. to faces criminal charges.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
