Suspected pirate appears in US court

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-22-2009 09:47

A Somali man accused of being the only surviving pirate in the hijacking of a US cargo ship has appeared in a federal court in Lower Manhattan in New York.

Abdi Wali Muse (R) is led into New York's Federal Plaza  on April 20, 2009.  (AFP/GettyImages/File/Stephen Chernin)

Abduhl Wali-i-Musi is the first purported pirate to be tried in the US in more than a century. US officials have reportedly determined that he is at least 18-years old. That means prosecutors will not have to take extra steps to put him on trial. But his mother insists that he is only 16.

Abduhl Wali-i-Musi is one of four Somali men accused of hijacking the ship -- Maersk Alabama -- off the coast of Somalia over a week ago.

Three of the pirates were killed by the US Navy during a rescue operation. Prosecutors say Musi could face a maximum of life in prison if convicted. He's expected to be charged with piracy and hostage taking.