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Abid Naseer 'led Manchester terror cell', says US trial 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.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.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 is representing himself in court, has pleaded not guilty and said evidence would show he had "no extremist or jihadist views".
Mr Naseer, who could face life imprisonment if found guilty, will represent himself in court. He could face life imprisonment if found guilty
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.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.
Ms Cohen said Mr Naseer communicated in coded emails with the handle about the plan to attack a shopping centre in Manchester.
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.
In opening statements on Tuesday, Mr Naseer said he visited sites like Qiran.com in order to find a wife.
"The evidence at trial will not show the defendant is an al-Qaeda member," he said.
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 returned 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."
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.