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Opening Arguments and Testimony Begin in Detroit Terror Trial

The Government delivered its opening statement in the terror trial of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the so-called "underwear bomber" charged with trying to blow up a NW Airlines plane en route to Detroit.

Reporters are tweeting live from the court. Check out the Guardian's Paul Harris @paulxharris, Robert Snell of the Detroit News @Detroitfedcourt and Steve Futterman of CBS @sfutterman.

AUSA Jonathan Tukel is presenting the opening. Standby counsel Anthony Chambers was going to give the opening for Mr. Abdulmutallab, but has decided to wait until after the Government rests its case.[More..]

Tukel: "“He had a mission for al-Qaida. His sole reason for being on flight was to blow it up.” and "Abdulmutallab thought he would end up in heaven because he would be a martyr."

"FBI lab found paper in Abdlumutallab's shoe that had encryption code linked to Al Qiada. More conspiracy evidence - Tukel"

"Tukel promises to show "somewhat explicit" photos of crotch burns to Abdulmutallab. "

"His intent will be key." - Tukel said. Thats where martyrdom videos and statements to FBI, doctors and passengers will come in."

Here's an older story with photos of the device.

The Guardian is republishing Paul Harris' tweets here.

In opening, the Government showed the jury the a screenshot of Abdulmutallab in the martyrdom video:

It was part of a much longer al-Qaida film, and shows Abdulmatallab sitting with an AK 47 rifle propped up against a wall behind him. Abdulmutallab's part of the video was just 34 seconds long but in it he says:

My Muslim brothers in the Arabian peninsula, you have to answer the call of jihad because the enemy is in your land along with their Jewish and Christian armies.

< Monday Night Open Thread | Jury Selection Underway in Viktor Bout Terrorism Trial >
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