Today in Piracy: Families of failed pirates demand pardon and compensation
GALKAYO, Somalia -- The mother of a teenager facing trial in the United States for piracy off Somalia wants President Barack Obama to pardon her son because he was misled into joining a sea gang. Abdiqani Hassan reporting for Reuters writes that Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse (who is going to be tried as an adult) was captured by U.S. forces when they rescued an American sea captain being held hostage by pirates. Three of Muse’s comrades were killed in the operation.
“My son was influenced by other gangs. He only got into piracy 15 days before he was captured. He is very young and didn’t know what he was doing is a crime,” said Adar Abdirahman Hassan.
“I am appealing the United States and President Obama to release my son,” the mother said, adding that Muse is only 16.
A widow of one of the slain men said she had no idea her husband was involved in any crime.
“He told me he was going fishing. He did not show signs of being a pirate. I was very shocked to hear that my husband was surrounded by Americans,” said Hamdi Jamac, a mother of three.
“I want his remains because my children cannot believe their father was killed at sea. I want compensation for this killing as my children are desperate and have no one that can help.”
Jamac’s mother-in-law also wants the body of her 29-year-old son and compensation for his death.
“Killing our sons was not the right decision. The U.S. has to pay the price for what they have done to us. There was another peaceful way of solving the crisis, that would save both the captive and our children,” Mulaho Mohamud said.
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http://network.nationalpost.com/np/b...pensation.aspx
My son was influenced by other gangs. He only got into piracy 15 days before he was captured. He is very young and didn’t know what he was doing is a crime,”
When you have a person who can tell a lie, this bold - and not be called on it - how do you negotiate with them? Her son was really so stupid, possessed such a low IQ that he didn't know that pointing a machine gun at a person and holding him hostage for 4 days was 'wrong'.
Some people need killing.