US/Nigeria - Christmas Day bomb plot

Plane bomb suspect pleads not guilty

Article published on the 2010-01-09 Latest update 2010-01-09 14:42 TU

A courtroom drawing shows Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (L) consulting with his lawyer at his first courtroom appearance on 8 January.
Photo: Reuters

Lawyers have entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of the Nigerian man accused of plotting to blow up a US airliner on Christmas Day, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, as he made his first court appearance in Detroit on Friday.

A judge ordered lawyers to enter the plea after Abdulmutallab himself refused to respond to the charges against him.

In a brief appearance lasting no more than five minutes, the 23-year-old Nigerian spoke only to confirm his name, age, and that he had read and understood the charges.

Abdulmutallab is accused of the attempted murder of 290 people aboard Northwest Airlines flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit, along with five other counts.

If found guilty, he faces life imprisonment.