New York, January 16, 2010 – A Somali man accused of hijacking the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama last April pleaded not guilty for the hijacking of two more vessels, one of which is still being held hostage, according to local media reports on Tuesday. 

Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse, who was already awaiting trial in federal court in New York City, faces a 10-count indictment, including piracy, seizing a ship by force, kidnapping and hostage taking, along with charges of possessing a machine gun, as well as other offenses. 

In May, Muse pleaded not guilty to piracy, hijacking and kidnapping after he was captured on the Maersk Alabama during a hostage scene in the Indian Ocean. 

If convicted, Muse faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. 

Confusion exists over Muse's age. His lawyer is expiated to file papers with the court arguing that Muse should be tried as a minor while prosecution says he is at least 18 years old, according to the local media. 

"Muse and others hijacked two ships before the Maersk Alabama, the second of which is still being held hostage," the office of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement Tuesday. 

In court documents, local media report, that the two ships are referenced as "Ship-1" and "Ship-2." According to the charges, Muse and others first boarded "Ship-1," seized control and then took the crew hostage. 

Muse allegedly aimed a gun at one of the hostages and threatened to kill him. He also threatened to set off an improvised explosive device near a hostage if any rescue attempt was made, according to the prosecutor's statement. 

The group of Somali pirates then allegedly forced Ship-1 to meet up with "Ship-2," and tied the two together. The captains were taken prisoner on Ship-2, and are believed to still be held hostage, said the prosecutors. 

It was only after taking Ship-1 and Ship-2 hostage that Muse and his group attacked and boarded Maersk Alabama. Muse "conducted himself as the leader of the pirates," according to the indictment. 

Richard Phillips, the captain of the Maersk Alabama, was held hostage for several days, risking his life so that the other crew members would be set free. He was rescued after a daring attempt by U.S. Navy snipers which killed three pirates and captured Muse. 

"Today's indictment alleges criminal conduct that extends beyond the attack against the captain and crew of the American-flagged Maersk Alabama," Bharara said in the statement. "Modern-day pirates who wreak havoc off faraway coasts will be met with modern-day justice in the United States."

Source: www.news.cn, Wednesday, January 13, 2010

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