Opening statements set in 'underwear bomber' trial

DETROIT (CNN) - Opening statements begin Tuesday in the federal trial of a Nigerian man accused of trying to detonate an explosive device in his underwear aboard a Christmas 2009 flight to Detroit.

Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab has said he will represent himself in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The jury is comprised of three white men and nine women -- six white, two African-American and one Southeast Asian.

He has been indicted on charges that include attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism and possession of a firearm or destructive device in furtherance of an act of violence.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He was a passenger on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 en route from the Netherlands to Detroit on Christmas Day 2009.

According to an indictment, he went to the lavatory shortly before the plane was to land. When he returned to his seat, he said his stomach was upset and pulled a blanket over himself.

Prosecutors allege he then tried to ignite an explosive that was hidden in his underwear.

Passengers and flight crew members subdued him. U.S. officials say the terror group al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was behind the alleged bombing attempt.