NEW YORK (AP) — An Iraqi national accused of plotting at least 18 attacks in Europe in retaliation for the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran pleaded not guilty on Monday before calling himself a “prisoner of war” and telling a judge that children and women were being killed “by your rockets.”

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi finally was persuaded to sit down in Manhattan federal court as two marshals approached him at a judge’s urging. One marshal put his hand on his shoulder to guide him into his seat.