US: Accused Underwear Bomber Admits Ties With Al-Qaida

Posted August 27th, 2011 at 2:55 am (UTC-5)
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U.S. prosecutors say a Nigerian man charged with trying to blow up a plane bound for Detroit in late 2009 admitted his association with al-Qaida during his arrest.

In Detroit Friday, prosecutors sought a judge's permission to use Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's comments during his arrest as evidence in his terrorism trial in October.

The government filed the motion in response to Abdulmutallab's claim he was not read his Miranda rights, which offers protection from self incrimination. A court hearing on that matter is set for September 14.

Abdulmutallab is accused of trying to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight with 300 passengers upon arrival in Detroit, Michigan by lighting explosives in his underwear. The device did not explode, but Abdulmutallab was treated for burns.

Abdulmutallab has chosen to represent himself in his upcoming trial.