Maersk Pirate has Arrived in New York

by Blue Crush | April 21, 2009 at 06:14 am

297 views | 75 Recommendations | 14 comments

Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse, also known as Abduhl Wal-i-Musi , the only surviving teen accused of pirating of the merchant ship Maersk Alabama, arrived in New York last night to stand trial. He will be the first to be tried on such charges on US soil in more than a century.

The suspect arrived at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building in Manhattan, which is linked to a federal detention facility where he was expected to be held pending an appearance in federal court. The timing of that appearance was not immediately available. He was walked through the rain, surrounded by media, as well as officers from federal and New York City law enforcement agencies.

He was all smiles for the media, although it is not known whether he understood their questions or not.

Earlier, his mother appealed to US President Barack Obama to free him. Adar Abdurahman Hassan told the BBC her son was innocent and just 16 years old. She said her son had been missing for two weeks prior to the hijacking and she only realised he had been implicated when she heard his name in a radio report.

Ken Quinn, Maersk Alabama's navigation officer spoke with CNN yesterday about their captive.

Quinn said he wasn't angry at the single alleged pirate, noting that piracy in the region is fueled by the urge to survive hardship and poverty. He said the suspect told him that he wanted to go the United States, and asked whether Quinn could help him get there.

"I said, 'Yeah, you'll probably going to go anyway. I don't think you're going to need my help,'" Quinn said. "If he goes to jail here, it will be a whole lot better than living in Somalia."

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Paschen

at 07:06 on April 21st, 2009

Why do we have Pirates is the question that no one dares to ask for the anthers would put the Industrial World to shame.

eastvanray

at 10:34 on April 21st, 2009

I am sure tha answer is pretty clear....greed!

Roy C

at 10:36 on April 21st, 2009

We have pirates, in this case, because failed nation-states, which fail because of their own corruption, tribalism and religious fanaticism, provide no opportunity to make a living.

So, instead of producing something of value, and trading the good or service for someone else's good or service, an ethical way to live, they decide to threaten people who are innocent with guns to extract money.

There is no excuse for the Somali pirates, and, while, yes, there but for the grace of God go I is an attitude I always think comes into play, there is simply nothing to tolerate about this behavior.

We should recall that the US tried to end this tragic situation by coming in and giving out aid, only to be fired upon, and ending up involved in a tragic situation.

Feeling sympathy for the underdog has to end when the underdog is the cause of his own state and actively prevents solutions from coming about.

Amy Judd

at 11:47 on April 21st, 2009

Thanks for this story - I can't believe he is so young...

albertacowpoke

at 12:14 on April 21st, 2009

Young indeed by Western Standards. These kids have suffered more by age 16 then most of us experience in a lifetime. They mature very quickly as they have to fend for themselves. Thank you Blue Crush for this story. The trial will be historic indeed. I would think a smart lawyer would ask for change of venue outside of the USA. We'll see how this one plays out.

Amy Judd

at 13:08 on April 21st, 2009

Apparently he faces up to life in prison and has been charged with five counts:

PROSECUTORS CHARGE SOMALI PIRATE, WHO IS 18 OR OLDER, WITH PIRACY, CONSPIRACY TO SEIZE A SHIP BY FORCE, OTHER CHARGES.

Blue Crush

at 13:57 on April 21st, 2009

Thanks all, for the recommend and comments. AP has just released this report, in which they note:

"Muse was charged with piracy, conspiracy and brandishing and firing a gun during a conspiracy. The most serious count carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The government says he is 18. A federal judge agreed Tuesday, ruling that Muse is an adult and that the case can proceed in open court."

It's not likely that he has a birth certificate, and they might have to send him to a dentist to determine his age. He looks 15, he's only 5'2." Too young to be brandishing a rocket launcher, or whatever it was, I'd say!

Syndrum (not verified)

at 13:50 on April 21st, 2009

Eastvanray, answers are usually never so simple.

What the western media isnt talking about is that Somali waters are being used as toxic waste dumps by European ships.

Many pirates at first were just trying to protect their livelihood. This does not justify their actions, but in a destitute country with a despotic government unable to guarantee even the bare minimal standards of living, where the people see their only chance for survival being destroyed by western powers, ...what do we expect them to do?

Secondly, what gives the US the right to try foreign nationals in domestic courts? This is another question completely ignored by the media. This is what the international courts are for which the US still fails to recognize unless it is politically convenient.

Complete hypocrisy, complete media blackout, complete brainwash.

http://www.viewzone.com/pirates.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-you-are-being-lied-to-about-pirates-1225817.html

eastvanray

at 20:16 on April 21st, 2009

So what? That has nothing to do with extortion. This is a crime of greed not one of getting even with polluters.

Syndrum (not verified)

at 23:02 on April 21st, 2009

Like I said, that doesn't justify their actions, but all sides of a story should be addressed when articles such as this are written.

The fact that international (read western) media barely mention those facts, facts that constitute an international crime graver than taking a few ships hostage, and the average person knows nothing about them, just goes to highlight how manipulated we can be.

Lets keep things in perpective and not be unwittingly just another arm of the establishment.

eastvanray

at 07:17 on April 22nd, 2009

I agree that other crimes are being committed but please do not try to link them as no causality exists.

jazzyzazzy

at 13:53 on April 21st, 2009

So,what has happened to all for one and one for all. His partners in crime surprise surprise, have left the wee guy to take all the blame.Your right Roy when you say; there for the grace of god go I.To be honest he smiled maybe at the prospect of three square meals a day in the prison.

Pythiian1

at 17:39 on April 21st, 2009

I think it's a bad idea to have brought Muse to NY to stand trial under the Southern District Court, even though the Southern District has the most experience in trying those who attack US targets abroad.

Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse was remanded to custody without bail, after being charged. His lawyers are working to appeal on the age issue.

Blue Crush

at 07:48 on April 22nd, 2009

Thanks, Pythiian. I'd been seeing his name written both ways, and it's hard to tell which one the FBI had 'Americanized.'

Where do you think he should be tried? Here are the court documents, BTW, for anyone who's interested.

Pythiian1

at 19:36 on April 22nd, 2009

Well, I've cited a UK newspaper's source instead of the North American way, which included US and Canadian sources.

Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse brazenly tore through the Maersk Alabama in a way that belied his young age and skinny, 5ft 2in frame, say US authorities, who accuse him of helping to steal $30,000 (£20,500) in cash from a safe. He is the first pirate charged in the US in more than a century. Prosecutors say he bragged about previous hijackings.

It is a costly trial for NYC taxpayers. It's surprising that the government chooses to use the toughest court system in the US to try this case as the international community could view this decision as heavy-handed.

I was hoping that the case would be tried anywhere else among various Federal Court system in the United States.