Jury selection begins Tuesday in the trial of the so-called “underwear bomber.”  Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 24-year-old from Nigeria is accused of trying to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight as it tried to land in Detroit on Christmas Day 2009.

Federal officials say the explosive device, hidden in Abdulmutallab’s underwear, malfunctioned causing injury only to Abdulmutallab.

The Justice Department opted to try Abdulmutallab in federal, civilian court rather than in a military tribunal.  Many legal experts believe a conviction in this case could lead to more terrorism cases being tried in civilian courts according to the Associated Press.

Abdulmutallab faces eight charges including conspiracy to commit terrorism and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction.  He has opted to represent himself at trial.

The prosecution alleges Abdulmutallab was instructed to blow up a jetliner over American air space by US-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.  Awlaki was killed by a US drone attack in Yemen on Friday.