A terror suspect took the stand in his own defense in federal court in Brooklyn Wednesday after the U.S. attorney's office presented evidence against him seized from Osama bin Laden's compound. NY1's Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.
After acting as his own defense lawyer throughout the terror trial, Abid Naseer took the stand Wednesday. He said he chose to testify because "I wanted people to hear my voice and my story."
Questioned by a court-appointed lawyer, Naseer went on to deny any connection to al-Qaida. He maintained that he never had any training to commit terrorism and never planned to set off an explosive device. He said, "Terrorism is not compatible with Islam."
Prosecutors charge that Naseer took part in an al-Qaida conspiracy to bomb targets in Europe and the U.S., including the city subway system.
Naseer testified in his own defense after prosecutors presented declassified al-Qaida documents seized in the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan. The documents discuss a range of al-Qaida activities, including its "war with America." One document went on to state that "Striking America in their heartland is essential to reaching our objectives," as well as "Operations inside America are our most important work because they affect the security and economy of American people as a whole."
Another letter said, "We will watch the faltering of the U.S. and its allies and we shall not stop except at the steps of the White House. And we will raise the monotheistic banner on their so-called Statue of Liberty"
Prosecutors want jurors to believe that the defendant was carrying out these plots, but these documents do not mention him by name.
Naseer, who's 28 years old, was born in Pakistan and studied in England. If convicted, he would face life in prison.
Naseer will continue his testimony on Thursday.