Muse Hoje Work | Abduwali

Muse is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, Indiana. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, his expected release date is in the early 2030s.

Abduwali Muse Hoje is not a hero or a folk figure—he is a convicted criminal who participated in a violent hijacking. However, his case serves as a landmark in international maritime law, reminding us how old legal principles are still being tested by modern crises. Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not serve as legal advice or commentary on ongoing legal proceedings.

You may not recognize his name, but Abduwali Muse Hoje was at the center of one of the most dramatic maritime incidents of the early 21st century. He is best known as the sole surviving pirate captured during the 2009 Maersk Alabama hijacking—an event later dramatized in the film Captain Phillips .

Muse was brought to New York City to face federal charges—the first person to be prosecuted for piracy in a U.S. court in over a century.

In 2011, Muse pleaded guilty to several charges, including hijacking maritime vessels and kidnapping. He was sentenced to 33 years and 9 months in federal prison.