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20/06/2008
Muslim Cleric Faces US Extradition
High profile muslim cleric Abu Hamza has lost his High Court battle against extradition to the United States where he is expected to face terror-related charges.
Egyptian-born Hamza is currently serving a seven-year jail term in Belmarsh prison in London for inciting murder and race hate.
Hamza, 50, from west London, is wanted by US authorites on 11 charges, including sending cash to al-Qaeda.
The charges against Hamza include allegations that he attempted to set up an al-Qaeda training camp in Oregon between 1998 and 2000.
He is also accused of involvement in a conspiracy to take 12 westerners hostage in Yemen in 1998.
Three British hostages, Margaret Whitehouse, 52, Ruth Williamson, 34, Peter Rowe, 60, from Durham and an Australian national, Andrew Thirsk, were murdered after Yemeni authorities tried to rescue them.
The extradition order was initially approved by the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court and endorsed by the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith in February this year.
Sir Igor Judge and Mr Justice Sullivan, ruled the decision to extradite "unassailable".
Hamza's lawyers said that there was "evidence of torture" used as an interrogation tactic in extracting information leading to the US extradition request.
However, the judges ruled that the allegation of torture has been made in "most general terms" and was "unsupported by evidence".
Hamza was convicted in February 2006 of 11 of the 15 charges he faced in the UK.
He has also been found guilty of possessing "threatening, abusive or insulting recordings".
Hamza was arrested on an extradition warrant by the US Government in May 2004 but the process had been put on hold while he stood trial in Britain.
In the US he faces life locked up in a 48 sq ft by 80 sq ft cell.
Hamza has 14 days to appeal in the House of Lords over the decision.
It is reported that the latest High Court appeal is costing tax payers an estimated £100,000.
Hamza lost both his lower arms and one eye in Afghanistan in the 1990s. The preacher is fitted with hooks on both his partially-amputated arms.
Hamza formally preached at the Finsbury Park Mosque in London.
He has since praised the the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US and called al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden a hero.
(DS)
Egyptian-born Hamza is currently serving a seven-year jail term in Belmarsh prison in London for inciting murder and race hate.
Hamza, 50, from west London, is wanted by US authorites on 11 charges, including sending cash to al-Qaeda.
The charges against Hamza include allegations that he attempted to set up an al-Qaeda training camp in Oregon between 1998 and 2000.
He is also accused of involvement in a conspiracy to take 12 westerners hostage in Yemen in 1998.
Three British hostages, Margaret Whitehouse, 52, Ruth Williamson, 34, Peter Rowe, 60, from Durham and an Australian national, Andrew Thirsk, were murdered after Yemeni authorities tried to rescue them.
The extradition order was initially approved by the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court and endorsed by the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith in February this year.
Sir Igor Judge and Mr Justice Sullivan, ruled the decision to extradite "unassailable".
Hamza's lawyers said that there was "evidence of torture" used as an interrogation tactic in extracting information leading to the US extradition request.
However, the judges ruled that the allegation of torture has been made in "most general terms" and was "unsupported by evidence".
Hamza was convicted in February 2006 of 11 of the 15 charges he faced in the UK.
He has also been found guilty of possessing "threatening, abusive or insulting recordings".
Hamza was arrested on an extradition warrant by the US Government in May 2004 but the process had been put on hold while he stood trial in Britain.
In the US he faces life locked up in a 48 sq ft by 80 sq ft cell.
Hamza has 14 days to appeal in the House of Lords over the decision.
It is reported that the latest High Court appeal is costing tax payers an estimated £100,000.
Hamza lost both his lower arms and one eye in Afghanistan in the 1990s. The preacher is fitted with hooks on both his partially-amputated arms.
Hamza formally preached at the Finsbury Park Mosque in London.
He has since praised the the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US and called al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden a hero.
(DS)
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20 August 2004
Abu Hamza remanded in custody
The radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri, who is fighting extradition to the US, has been remanded in custody after appearing before Bow Street Magistrates Court today. Abu Hamza, who faces a total of 11 terrorism-related charges, appeared by videolink from Belmarsh prison to confirm his name and date of birth.
Abu Hamza remanded in custody
The radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri, who is fighting extradition to the US, has been remanded in custody after appearing before Bow Street Magistrates Court today. Abu Hamza, who faces a total of 11 terrorism-related charges, appeared by videolink from Belmarsh prison to confirm his name and date of birth.
08 February 2006
Police defend Hamza investigation
Police have defended the length of time taken to prosecute radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri. Egyptian-born Hamza, 47, was jailed for seven years on charges of inciting hatred and racial hatred.
Police defend Hamza investigation
Police have defended the length of time taken to prosecute radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri. Egyptian-born Hamza, 47, was jailed for seven years on charges of inciting hatred and racial hatred.
03 June 2004
Abu Hamza is denied bail
Controversial Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has been denied bail at Belmarsh Magistrates Court today. Abu Hamza was arrested on May 27 on an extradition warrant served by the US government. He is accused of acting as an intermediary for a terror group which took 16 people hostage in Yemen in 1998.
Abu Hamza is denied bail
Controversial Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has been denied bail at Belmarsh Magistrates Court today. Abu Hamza was arrested on May 27 on an extradition warrant served by the US government. He is accused of acting as an intermediary for a terror group which took 16 people hostage in Yemen in 1998.
15 November 2007
Extradition To US Possible For Abu Hamza
Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri could be extradited to the US in order to face terrorism charges. The City of Westminster Magistrates Court approved the extradition of the 49-year-old from west London, but the decision has to be ratified by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
Extradition To US Possible For Abu Hamza
Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri could be extradited to the US in order to face terrorism charges. The City of Westminster Magistrates Court approved the extradition of the 49-year-old from west London, but the decision has to be ratified by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
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