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Burlington, June 5, 2010 – Ali Abdi, a leader in the
Somal Bantu community in Burlington, was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years
to life in prison for sexual assault on a nine year old girl, despite
pleas to the judge from two of his children.
Abdi had taken off during his trial, and was captured out of state. The
jury was not told he ran away. He was convicted.
Abdi’s lawyer argued that the case has to be viewed as different from
others, because Abdi comes from a different cultural background. Erik
Smart told the judge that Abdi fled Somalia and spent thirteen years in
a refugee camp before arriving in Burlington. Smart says the Somali
Bantu community has forgiven Abdi.
“I would venture to say this community views this crime differently than
our own community would,” Smart told the court.
Prosecutor Susan Hardin argued that cultural differences do not excuse a
crime.
“It is critical that the Somali Bantu community and all the others in
Chittenden County be sent a very clear message: if you sexually assault
our children, there will be severe consequences,” Hardin said.
Source: WCAX, Friday, June 04, 2010
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