Reputed al Qaeda operative to represent himself at US trial

New York: A reputed al Qaeda operative has decided to act as his own attorney at a US terrorism trial.

Abid Naseer is expected to give an opening statement tomorrow in federal court in New York City.

The Pakistani defendant has pleaded not guilty to charges he was part of a conspiracy in 2009 to bomb a mall in Manchester, England, and the subways in New York City.

Prosecutors say the trial will feature evidence seized during the Navy SEAL raid in 2011 that left Osama bin Laden dead. The jury also will hear testimony from undercover British intelligence officers who have been given permission to take the witness stand in disguises to conceal their identities.

If convicted, Naseer faces a possible life sentence.