Abid Naseer bomb plot trial opens

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.

Abid Naseer, 28, was extradited to the US from the UK in 2013.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to provide material support to al Qaeda and conspiring to use a destructive device

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.

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.

Two men who pleaded guilty to the subway plot - Najibullah Zazi and Zarein Ahmedzay - are expected to testify against Mr Naseer.

Mr Naseer (seen here in 2010) was previously arrested in the UK over a bomb plot in Manchester

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.

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.

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.

Abid Naseer bomb plot trial opens

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