Rahimi removed from N.Y.C. court as pipe bomb attacks trial begins

Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Alleged pipe bomber Ahmad Rahimi was forcibly removed from a New York City courtroom on the opening day of his trial Monday.

Rahini is charged with eight crimes, from use of weapons of mass destruction to bombing a place of public use, in connection with two Sept. 17, 2016 explosions of homemade bombs in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood and other nearby locations. The blast injured 31 people and caused millions of dollars in property damage. It was one of several bombs Rahimi allegedly planted in New York City and in New Jersey, prosecutors said. One detonated on morning of Sept. 17 at a charity road race in Seaside Park, N.J., and another at a restaurant in Elizabeth, N.J. A two-day manhunt led to his arrest.

His trial began Monday. Rahini was 45 minutes late. When he arrived he told Judge Richard Berman, "The whole year I've waited to get this across. I actually came out only to speak to you."

Berman replied, "Not now. I will have you removed from the courtroom." U.S. Marshals then grabbed Rahimi and took him from the courtroom.

Rahimi is a U.S. citizen born in Afghanistan. He faces life imprisonment if convicted of all eight charges. He was not charged with terrorist-related crimes, but prosecutors say his journals, written prior to the explosions, indicated that he was influenced by jihad and terrorist organizations.