There is a possibility of David Headley's extradition to India, says US attorney

"If we void his plea agreement then he is facing the original penalties that he would have faced without his cooperation. So it is a powerful incentive to keep cooperating and to do it truthfully," Shapiro said.

Headley had also made a last ditch effort to have his sentence reduced by writing an emotional letter to the judge that he was a changed man now and was sorry of what he did in the past.

However, US District Judge Harry D Leinenweber, while acknowledging the receipt of such a letter, publicly told Headley in the court room that he had difficulties in believing him given his past record.

"I do not have any faith in Mr Headley when he says that he is a changed person now. I do believe that it is my duty to protect the public from Mr Headley and ensure that he does not get into any further terrorist activities," the judge said.

Headley, a US citizen of Pakistani descent, was sentenced last night to 35 years in prison for a dozen federal terrorism crimes relating to his role in planning the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and a subsequent proposed strike on a newspaper in Denmark.

The LeT terrorist pleaded guilty in March 2010 to all 12 counts that were brought against him following his arrest in October 2009. Immediately after his arrest, Headley began cooperating with authorities.

Headley was ordered to serve 35 years, followed by five years of supervised release by US District Judge Harry Leinenweber. There is no federal parole and the defendant must serve at least 85 per cent of the sentence.

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