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| Pirate mother's Obama mercy plea | Pirate mother's Obama mercy plea |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The mother of a teenage alleged pirate held over the hostage-taking of a US sea captain this month has appealed to US President Barack Obama to free him. | The mother of a teenage alleged pirate held over the hostage-taking of a US sea captain this month has appealed to US President Barack Obama to free him. |
| Adar Abdurahman Hassan told the BBC her son, Abde Wale Abdul Kadhir Muse, was innocent and just 16 years old. | Adar Abdurahman Hassan told the BBC her son, Abde Wale Abdul Kadhir Muse, was innocent and just 16 years old. |
| He was held over the seizure off Somalia of Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama cargo ship. | He was held over the seizure off Somalia of Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama cargo ship. |
| While her son was allegedly negotiating on a US warship, naval snipers shot dead three pirates holding the captain. | While her son was allegedly negotiating on a US warship, naval snipers shot dead three pirates holding the captain. |
| The mother of the teenager, who is facing trial in New York, said she wanted to be present in court if the case goes ahead. | The mother of the teenager, who is facing trial in New York, said she wanted to be present in court if the case goes ahead. |
| 'Under-age' | 'Under-age' |
| Mrs Hassan said her son had been missing for two weeks prior to the hijacking and she only realised he had been implicated when she heard his name in a radio report. | Mrs Hassan said her son had been missing for two weeks prior to the hijacking and she only realised he had been implicated when she heard his name in a radio report. |
| I am requesting President Obama to release my child, he has got nothing to do with the pirates' crime, he is a minor Adar Abdurahman HassanMother of alleged pirate Somali piracy: Global overview | I am requesting President Obama to release my child, he has got nothing to do with the pirates' crime, he is a minor Adar Abdurahman HassanMother of alleged pirate Somali piracy: Global overview |
| The teenager is accused of being a member of the pirate gang which boarded the container ship on 8 April and took Capt Phillips hostage in a lifeboat. | The teenager is accused of being a member of the pirate gang which boarded the container ship on 8 April and took Capt Phillips hostage in a lifeboat. |
| The standoff ended on the fifth day while her son was aboard a US warship allegedly demanding a ransom when US Navy marksmen killed three of the pirates. | The standoff ended on the fifth day while her son was aboard a US warship allegedly demanding a ransom when US Navy marksmen killed three of the pirates. |
| Mrs Hassan told the BBC's Somali service: "I am requesting the American government, I am requesting President Obama to release my child. He has got nothing to do with the pirates' crime. | Mrs Hassan told the BBC's Somali service: "I am requesting the American government, I am requesting President Obama to release my child. He has got nothing to do with the pirates' crime. |
| "He is a minor; he is under-age and he has been used for this crime. I also request from the US, if they choose to put him on trial, I want them to invite me there." | "He is a minor; he is under-age and he has been used for this crime. I also request from the US, if they choose to put him on trial, I want them to invite me there." |
| Her plea came as Somali pirates released a Togo-flagged cargo ship seized last week, reportedly after a $100,000 (£68,000) ransom was paid. | Her plea came as Somali pirates released a Togo-flagged cargo ship seized last week, reportedly after a $100,000 (£68,000) ransom was paid. |
| The 5,000-tonne Lebanese-owned MV Sea Horse - which had been heading to India to pick up food aid for Somalia - was seized on 14 April. | The 5,000-tonne Lebanese-owned MV Sea Horse - which had been heading to India to pick up food aid for Somalia - was seized on 14 April. |
| Capt Richard Phillips has been hailed as a hero back home | Capt Richard Phillips has been hailed as a hero back home |
| But 19 foreign vessels and more than 300 sailors remain in the hands of Somali pirates, who have stepped up attacks on shipping in recent weeks. | But 19 foreign vessels and more than 300 sailors remain in the hands of Somali pirates, who have stepped up attacks on shipping in recent weeks. |
| About three million people - half the Somali population - need assistance, donors say. | About three million people - half the Somali population - need assistance, donors say. |
| On Sunday, the weak, internationally recognised Somali government said captured pirates could face the death penalty. | On Sunday, the weak, internationally recognised Somali government said captured pirates could face the death penalty. |
| But the Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective administration since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed piracy to thrive. | But the Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective administration since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed piracy to thrive. |
| Shipping companies last year handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to the gangs. | Shipping companies last year handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to the gangs. |