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A federal judge has sentenced two Somali men to 30 years in prison for their roles in the kidnapping of an American journalist in Somalia.

Let’s bring you up to speed: Back in January of 2012, American journalist Michael Scott Moore traveled to Somalia to research piracy and the Somali economy but was abducted near Galkayo by a group of heavily armed men. Moore was forcibly pulled from his vehicle, beaten, and taken to a remote location, where he was held with two Seychellois fishermen who had been kidnapped months earlier. Throughout his 977-day captivity, Moore faced physical abuse, threats, and frequent transfers between locations, including a hijacked ship where he was held alongside other hostages. His captors forced him to make proof-of-life videos to demand a ransom from his family. After nearly three years in captivity, Moore was released in September 2014 following a ransom payment.

What’s going on now: According to the Justice Department, Abdi Yusuf Hassan, a naturalized US citizen and former Somali Minister of the Interior, and Mohamed Tahlil Mohamed, a Somali army officer, were each sentenced to 30 years in prison for their involvement in the kidnapping and extended captivity of American journalist Michael Scott Moore.  

DOJ prosecutors say both men abused their government positions to facilitate and oversee Moore’s abduction, with Hassan directing ransom negotiations and utilizing his home as a base for operations, while Mohamed served as head of security, supplying weapons and overseeing Moore’s movements between guarded locations.

Lawyer’s for Hassan & Mohamed have not responded to our request for comment.