The New York Times · 11 July 1986

CP-1986-020

ITALIAN JURY GIVES CRUISE-SHIP KILLER 30-YEAR SENTENCE

11 of 15 Accused in Hijacking of Achille Lauro Convicted — Victim’s Kin Protest

By ROBERTO SURO

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Transcribed from the clipping

GENOA, Italy, July 10 — A Palestinian who confessed to the murder of Leon Klinghoffer, an American tourist aboard the liner Achille Lauro, was convicted and sentenced today to 30 years in prison for his actions during the ship’s hijacking in October.

In passing sentence, an Italian jury rejected a prosecution demand that the defendant, Magid al-Molqi, be given a life term, Italy’s maximum sentence, for killing Mr. Klinghoffer, a 69-year-old New Yorker who used a wheelchair. Mr. Molqi and two confederates were found guilty of a “kidnapping for terrorist ends that caused the killing of a person.”

The other two were given prison terms of 24 years and 15 years. The jury, however, ordered life sentences for three fugitives — the Palestinian leader Mohammed Abbas and two associates — who were tried in absentia and whom Italian officials acknowledge they are unlikely to apprehend. All were convicted for their role in organizing the hijacking.

The defendants in custody are expected to appeal their sentences. Under Italian law, people convicted of terrorist crimes are not subject to early release. In New York, Mr. Klinghoffer’s daughters expressed outrage at Mr. Molqi’s sentence and called on President Reagan to extradite the Palestinians to the United States to stand trial for murder.

The verdicts today involved a total of 15 defendants in the Achille Lauro hijacking, 5 of whom are in custody.

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