A reputed al-Qaida operative has opted to act as his own attorney at a U.S. terrorism trial.

Abid Naseer is expected to give an opening statement Tuesday 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 2001 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.

(AP)