Piracy suspect pleads not guilty in NY

A Somali teenager accused of leading a pirate attack on an American cargo ship off the coast of Africa pleaded not guilty Thursday to piracy charges.

Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse, 18, entered the plea during a brief appearance in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where his lawyers noted that he has been kept in solitary confinement since he was brought to the United States last month.

Authorities say Muse was the only surviving pirate among a group that attacked the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama on April 8. He was captured April 12 as U.S. military snipers fired on a group holding the cargo vessel's captain hostage. The captain, Richard Phillips, has since returned to his home in Underhill, Vt., to a hero's welcome.

Muse was indicted earlier this week on 10 counts including piracy under the law of nations, conspiracy, hostage taking, kidnapping and possession of a machine gun while seizing a ship by force. If convicted of the most serious charge, he faces a mandatory life sentence.

U.S. authorities say Muse led the attack on the ship, firing his AK-47 assault rifle at Phillips. Defense lawyers have portrayed him as a bewildered teenager thrust into the international spotlight. He cried at his initial court appearance several weeks ago.

The oldest of 12 children, Muse grew up poor in Somalia, a violent, lawless nation where piracy has flourished.

When the Maersk Alabama was attacked, it was carrying humanitarian supplies about 280 miles off the Somali coast.

Authorities say Phillips, held hostage for several days on a lifeboat, had an AK-47 held near his back when Navy snipers killed three pirates as the small vessel bobbed in the water near three U.S. warships and beneath a helicopter.