国际英语新闻：NY Times Square car bombing suspect makes first appearance in court

NEW YORK, May 18 (Xinhua) -- New York Times Square botched car bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad made his first appearance in Manhattan Federal Court Tuesday afternoon on five felony crime charges.

Shahzad, who is accused of trying to detonate a car bomb in Times Square on May 1, was brought to court under extremely tight security at around 5:20 p.m.

He was not handcuffed while he was brought in, surrounded by six U.S. marshals.

The 30-year-old Shahzad was arrested approximately 53 hours after the attempt. He was taken into custody at John F. Kennedy International Airport, after boarding Emirates Flight 202 to Dubai. His final destination had reportedly been Islamabad, Pakistan.

This undated image, obtained from orkut.com on May 4, 2010, shows Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistani-American who is suspected as the driver of a bomb-laden SUV into New York's Time Square on May 1.

The news of his court appearance reportedly came on the heels of demands by at least one high profile defense lawyer. Ron Kuby wrote the court's chief judge Tuesday demanding that Shahzad be presented in court.

The U.S. authorities said that's because Shahzad has waived his right to a speedy presentment and is cooperating with investigators.

The New York Times said that Shahzad waived his right to a speedy arraignment "suggests that he is continuing to provide valuable information."

Shahzad faces charges including attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.