• TOM HAYS/Associated Press Writer
• Originally published May 19, 2009 at 2:46 p.m., updated September 17, 2009 at 9:57 a.m.

NEW YORK (AP) — A Somali teenager accused of leading a pirate attack on an American cargo ship off the coast of Africa is facing a New York judge.

Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse (AHB'-dih-wah-lee AHB'-dih-kah-dihr moo-SAY') has pleaded not guilty to piracy charges. He appears in Manhattan federal court on Thursday afternoon.

Authorities say Muse was the only surviving pirate of a group that attacked the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama off the Somali coast in April. The ship was carrying humanitarian supplies.

Muse was indicted on 10 counts including piracy and hostage-taking. He faces a mandatory life term if convicted of the most serious charge.

His lawyers have denied the government's claim that Muse is 18. His family has said Muse is as young as 15.

• Print
• •
• Share
  • Share this item

    Send this to a friend

  • Grab the link

    Copy and paste the link:

  • Blog about it

    Blog about this page.

  • Close
• •
• Favorite