Prosecutors to appeal bomber's sentence

SEATTLE, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors in Seattle plan to appeal the 22-year-sentence given the convicted Millennium bomber, saying it is not long enough.

With good time credits, Ahmed Ressam could be free in as little as 14 years, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.

"Ahmed Ressam plotted to kill hundreds of innocent Americans. His powerful explosives put lives at risk on ferry Coho and in Port Angeles. We believe his actions warrant a sentence above 22 years, and that the district judge erred in imposing the sentence," U.S. Attorney John McKay said.

Ressam, who was trained by al-Qaida, was arrested on Dec. 14, 1999, after traveling from Victoria, B.C., to Port Angeles by ferry with his car trunk full of explosives.

The major issue at his sentencing was the extent of his cooperation with federal prosecutors. Ressam, after giving some information, stopped cooperating.

At his sentencing, prosecutors sought at least 39 years.