Jury selection has begun in New York City in the terrorism trial of Osama bin Laden’s son-in-law. He’s charged with conspiring to kill Americans in his role as al-Qaida’s spokesman after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan began questioning prospective jurors Monday for the trial of Sulaiman Abu Ghaith.

Abu Ghaith listened to an interpreter as Kaplan tried to determine the legitimacy of hardship claims by prospective jurors who said they didn’t believe they could serve. Many of about two dozen people who claimed hardships said long commutes to court would be too difficult.

Opening statements are expected to begin later this week. The trial is scheduled to last about three weeks. Abu Ghaith was brought to the United States last year after his capture in Jordan.

(AP)