Malek denies being captain of vessel on which 800 migrants died

The man prosecutors say was in charge of the boat which capsized in the Mediterranean - killing at least 800 migrants - has appeared in court.

Tunisian Mohammed Ali Malek is accused of multiple first degree homicides, but denies being the vessel's captain.

A second man has also denied being a member of the crew, but his lawyer has said Malek was the skipper.

"My client is completely innocent," he said. "He was a passenger, like all the others. I don’t see why he should be implicated in people-smuggling. In fact he himself accuses the captain, saying he was the one in charge."