| April 21, 2009 Somali teen in NYC to face piracy charges
|
(NECN/ABC) - From captor to captive. The sole surviving suspect in the Maersk Alabama piracy drama is in the hands of the U.S. justice system. He will face federal charges later today in court.
Abdiwali Muse smiled, but didn't say a word as he was led into a federal building last night.
He is the lone surviving Somali pirate accused of attacking the crew of the Maersk Alabama and taking the American ship's captain Richard Phillips hostage.
The parents of Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse insist he's only 16. But law enforcement officials say he's at least 18.
That means prosecutors will not have to take extra legal steps to put him on trial in U.S. court. Piracy is a crime for which there is universal jurisdiction.
The teenager was flown from Africa to New York where he'll be arraigned Tuesday in federal court.
His mother says "gangsters with money" coaxed her son into the pirate life.
U.S. officials say the teenager was brought to New York to face trial because the FBI office here has a history of handling cases in Africa involving major crimes against Americans.
Navy SEAL snipers killed three of Wali-Musi's colleagues who kidnapped Captain Phillips after attempting to hijack the Maersk Alabama. The suspect's father said the pirates lied to his son, telling him they were going to get money. He says their family is penniless.
The charges could carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
ABC's Linsey Davis reports
Play video
