NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors have asked a judge in New York to sentence a Somalian pirate to 34 years in prison for an attack on a U.S.-flagged ship off the coast of Africa.

Prosecutors said in a court filing Thursday that over a five week period in 2009, Abdiwali Abdigadir Muse (AHB’-dih-wah-lee AHB’-dih-kah-dihr moo-SAY’) led attacks on three ships in the Indian Ocean.

They say he threatened to chop up one seaman and terrorized others at gunpoint.

Muse was captured in the failed hijacking of the Maersk Alabama.

He was among a group of pirates who held the ship’s captain hostage for days before Navysharpshooters killed all of his accomplices.

His lawyers have asked the judge to be lenient, saying he never intended to hurt anyone.

Muse’s sentencing is scheduled for next week.

Associated Press

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