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UK Court OKs Radical Cleric's US Extradition

Al-Masri tried to build a terrorist training camp in Oregon, US says

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 15, 2007 10:19 AM CST

(Newser) – Radical Islamic cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri could be extradited to the US, thanks to a British court ruling today. Hamza is serving a seven-year prison term for inciting his congregation to murder, but US charges, which include attempting to set up a terrorist training camp in Oregon, could put the one-eyed, hook-wielding radical away for 100 years, Reuters reports.

But the extradition could still be squashed on human rights grounds, the court said, criticizing the harsh solitary confinement regime of US prisons. US charges would link Hamza to a specific plot, something British authorities never managed. Instead, they called his London mosque a base for militants, hosting the likes of convicted 9/11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui and “shoebomber” Richard Reid.

National Front demonstrate at Finsbury Park mosque
National Front demonstrate at Finsbury Park mosque   (Getty Images)
Abu Hamza al-Masri speaks at a London rally
Abu Hamza al-Masri speaks at a London rally   (Getty Images)
Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri speaks at a press conference, in London in this Jan. 20, 1999 file photo. Radical cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri can be extradited to the United States to face trial on charges of supporting terrorism, a British court ruled Thursday Nov. 15, 2007.  Al-Masri has been...
Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri speaks at a press conference, in London in this Jan. 20, 1999 file photo. Radical cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri can be extradited to the United States to face trial on charges...   (Associated Press)
Abu Hamza leads prayer in front of the Mosque that he is banned from in this 2003 file photo. (LON43205)
Abu Hamza leads prayer in front of the Mosque that he is banned from in this 2003 file photo. (LON43205)   (Magnum Photos)
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