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Abid Naseer bomb plot trial opens in New York Abid Naseer 'led Manchester terror cell', says US trial
(about 2 hours later)
The trial of a Pakistani man alleged to have taken part in an al-Qaeda plot to carry out bomb attacks in Manchester and New York in 2009 has opened. A Pakistani man extradited from the UK was part of a broad al-Qaeda conspiracy to attack Manchester and New York, a US prosecutor has said.
Abid Naseer, 28, was extradited to the US from the UK in 2013. Celia Cohen told a New York court that Abid Naseer, 28, led a terror cell in Manchester, England.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to provide material support to al Qaeda and conspiring to use a destructive device He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and has denied being involved in bomb plots.
Mr Naseer, who could face life imprisonment if found guilty, will represent himself in court.Mr Naseer, who could face life imprisonment if found guilty, will represent himself in court.
Opening arguments are being heard in a New York court on Tuesday.Opening arguments are being heard in a New York court on Tuesday.
The jury is expected to hear evidence from six British intelligence agents, who are being allowed to testify wearing wigs and light make-up to protect their identity.The jury is expected to hear evidence from six British intelligence agents, who are being allowed to testify wearing wigs and light make-up to protect their identity.
Prosecutors argue Mr Naseer was part of a larger conspiracy planning bomb attacks in multiple places, including Manchester and New York's subway system.Prosecutors argue Mr Naseer was part of a larger conspiracy planning bomb attacks in multiple places, including Manchester and New York's subway system.
He is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to al Qaeda and conspiring to use a destructive device.
Two men who pleaded guilty to the subway plot - Najibullah Zazi and Zarein Ahmedzay - are expected to testify against Mr Naseer.Two men who pleaded guilty to the subway plot - Najibullah Zazi and Zarein Ahmedzay - are expected to testify against Mr Naseer.
Prosecutors say email account evidence shows all three men were under the direction of the same al-Qaeda handler.Prosecutors say email account evidence shows all three men were under the direction of the same al-Qaeda handler.
A declassified document recovered during the raid on the Bin Laden compound mentions Mr Naseer and refers to the plots in Manchester and New York, prosecutors say.A declassified document recovered during the raid on the Bin Laden compound mentions Mr Naseer and refers to the plots in Manchester and New York, prosecutors say.
Abid Naseer was one of a dozen men arrested in Britain in 2009 on suspicion of plotting an attack on shopping centres in Manchester.Abid Naseer was one of a dozen men arrested in Britain in 2009 on suspicion of plotting an attack on shopping centres in Manchester.
No explosives were found but the men were ordered to leave the country. Mr Naseer avoided deportation after a judge ruled it was likely he would not be safe if he returns to Pakistan.No explosives were found but the men were ordered to leave the country. Mr Naseer avoided deportation after a judge ruled it was likely he would not be safe if he returns to Pakistan.
Mr Naseer said at the time he went to the UK to gain a degree, not to attack the West.Mr Naseer said at the time he went to the UK to gain a degree, not to attack the West.
"Committing terrorist acts is not justified, and I do not consider this to be jihad," he said. "I believe in spiritual jihad.""Committing terrorist acts is not justified, and I do not consider this to be jihad," he said. "I believe in spiritual jihad."
UK officials arrested him again in 2010 at the request of US prosecutors. He was eventually deported after losing an appeal at the European Court of Human Rights.UK officials arrested him again in 2010 at the request of US prosecutors. He was eventually deported after losing an appeal at the European Court of Human Rights.