DETROIT  (AFP) – Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab a young Nigerian man pleaded guilty Wednesday to trying to kill nearly 300 people aboard a US-bound airliner on Christmas 2009 with explosives secreted in his underwear.

“Do you understand that you have the right to remain silent?” asked judge Nancy Edmunds. “Yes,” replied 25-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.

“Do I understand correctly that you wish to waive that right to plead guilty to all the charges in the indictment?” asked the judge. “Yes,” again came the reply.

More detials of court proceedings later