A Pakistani man convicted in March in a US court of conspiring with al-Qaida to bomb a shopping centre in Manchester, England should spend 30 years to life in prison, US prosecutors said.

Abid Naseer, 29, poses an “extreme danger” to society given his “continued commitment” to cause mass casualties designed to rival the September 11 attacks, prosecutors said in a letter filed late on Tuesday night.

Naseer was convicted of plotting to blow up the Arndale shopping center in the centre of Manchester as early as April 2009, when he was arrested by British authorities.

The attack was one of three that US prosecutors said affiliated cells were working on, including attacks against the New York City subway and a Copenhagen newspaper.

Najibullah Zazi, who pleaded guilty to the New York plot, testified against Naseer that both men coordinated their plans through coded emails with an al-Qaida operative in Pakistan.

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A Pakistani man extradited from the UK was part of a broad al-Qaeda conspiracy to attack Manchester and New York, a US prosecutor has said.

Celia Cohen told a New York court that Abid Naseer, 28, led a terror cell in Manchester, England.

Mr Naseer, who is representing himself in court, has pleaded not guilty and said evidence would show he had “no extremist or jihadist views”.

He could face life imprisonment if found guilty

The jury is expected to hear evidence from six British intelligence agents, who are being allowed to testify wearing wigs and light make-up to protect their identity.

Prosecutors argue Mr Naseer was part of a larger conspiracy planning bomb attacks in multiple places, including Manchester and New York’s subway system.

He is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to al Qaeda and conspiring to use a destructive device.

Two men who pleaded guilty to the subway plot – Najibullah Zazi and Zarein Ahmedzay – are expected to testify against Mr Naseer.

Prosecutors say email account evidence shows all three men were under the direction of the same al-Qaeda handler.

Ms Cohen said Mr Naseer communicated in coded emails with the handle about the plan to attack a shopping centre in Manchester.

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