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)