Nigerian pleads not guilty
Published:Friday | January 8, 2010 | 6:12 PM
The Nigerian man accused of attempting to detonate a bomb on a Detroit-bound plane on Christmas Day has pleaded not guilty.
Twenty-three year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who is charged with the attempted murder of 290 people and five other counts appeared in a Detroit federal court earlier this afternoon.
Mr Abdulmutallab faces life imprisonment on the charge of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.
He allegedly tried to detonate a device concealed in his underwear on Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit.
The plane landed safely after passengers and crew overpowered him.
The alleged bombing attempt has prompted strong criticism of airport security and US intelligence services.
US President Barack Obama has since announced several new airport and travel security measures.