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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Somali pirate suspect faces criminal charges


NEW YORK — A Somali teenager whose role in the commandeering of an American cargo ship thrust him into the international spotlight has been indicted on multiple criminal charges, authorities said Tuesday.

Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse — the only pirate to survive the April 8 siege — was captured April 12 and flown to the U.S. to face what’s believed to be the first U.S. piracy trial in more than a century.

He was expected to enter a plea later this week on charges of piracy, conspiracy, hostage-taking and brandishing a firearm on the high seas. He faces life in prison if convicted.

U.S. prosecutors have branded Muse the ringleader of a band of four pirates who provoked the deadly drama, while defense attorneys have insisted he’s a bewildered teenager snatched from obscurity. His lawyers failed to convince a judge he was only 15 and should be tried as a juvenile.



by the associated press

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