AbdulMutallab admitted in a courtroom expression Wednesday that he had formerly traveled to Yemen and was "greatly inspired" to partake in such a contrive by U.S.-born militant cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed at a U.S. drone strike in Yemen September 30. U.S. officials say the horror group al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula helped foment the bombing attempt.

"I carried with me an explosive appliance to avenge the killing of innocent Muslims," AbdulMutallab said, adding that the failed plot was in retaliation for "U.S. tyranny and suppression of Muslims."

"I am criminal of this by U.S. statute, but not in the Koran," he added. "If you smile by us immediately, we will laugh to you after."

The prosecution made its opening statement Tuesday and had yet called its premier witness in the case.

U.S. District Attorney Barbara McQuade said the case shows the merit of civilian courts. "We ought not limit ourselves to military tribunals," she said.

The case shows "the earth that our system of righteousness works," McQuade joined.

Sentencing ambition take area aboard January 12.

AbdulMutallab was a passenger aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 en route from the Netherlands to Detroit on Christmas Day 2009 when he offered the bombing.

Jonathan Tukel, central of the National Security Unit for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Michigan, laid out details of the flight in his beginning statement.

Pointing to AbdulMutallab, Tukel said, "His sole reason as creature on Flight 253 was apt kill always of the tourists and himself. He thought he'd all over in paradise."

After taking many trips to the lavatory, AbdulMutallab went behind to the bathroom approximately an hour ahead the plane was to land, "to purify himself to die," Tukel said.

AbdulMutallab did not dine or beverage on the plane, a quickly that was portion of his ritual purification, Tukel said.

A witness testified that AbdulMutallab was in the bathroom for about 15 to 20 minutes, which appeared long to the passenger, Tukel said.

When AbdulMutallab returned to his seat, he pulled a carpet over his brain, "pushed the plunger on the mine and prepared to dead," Tukel said.

Passengers heard a noisy rumpus, which sounded favor a firecracker, Tukel said.