NEW YORK – Lawyers for an Islamic cleric convicted of terrorism charges say the Egyptian man who lived in London should not be sentenced to life in prison, in part because of his severe disabilities.
Mustafa Kamel Mustafa's attorneys say he would face unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment if his missing hands and forearms and psoriasis weren't taken into account.
Mustafa was convicted in May of aiding terrorists who kidnapped tourists in Yemen in 1998 and others who plotted to open a terror training camp in Bly, Oregon. Guidelines call for the 56-year-old to receive a life sentence.
Mustafa's attorneys urged Manhattan federal Judge Katherine Forrest to recommend at sentencing Jan. 9 that he be housed at a prison medical facility.
Prosecutors were to submit their recommendations to the judge Friday.
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