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Abid Naseer 'led Manchester terror cell', says US trial | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
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. | |
Celia Cohen told a New York court that Abid Naseer, 28, led a terror cell in Manchester, England. | |
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. |