Hamza 'backed worldwide conspiracy'

icNewcastle ^ | July 23 2004

[knighthawk]

Firebrand Muslim cleric Abu Hamza was part of a worldwide conspiracy to wage war on the West, a court has heard.

James Lewis QC, representing the United States Government, which is trying to extradite Hamza from Britain, said: "Abu Hamza is a member of a global conspiracy to wage Jihad against the United States and other countries.

"He has consistently advocated hatred and violence against the United States of America, which he called the United Snakes of America."

He said the global network of conspiracy included, but was not limited to, England, Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan and the United States.

As Mr Lewis outlined the case against him, Hamza sat in the dock at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court after being led through a tunnel known as "the pipe" from his cell at the adjacent high security prison.

He was surrounded in the dock by four prison officers, a security guard and a welfare officer.

Hamza wore a pale blue smock and had apparently had his hook removed for security reasons. His arms were folded under his smock.

For much of the proceedings his one good eye was closed, and his head lolled forward.

His lawyers told the court he was unwell, and District Judge Timothy Workman said Hamza could leave the court if he felt ill.

[knighthawk]

Firebrand cleric faces extradition

Firebrand Muslim Abu Hamza is to face extradition proceedings which could see the controversial cleric sent to the United States to face terror charges.

The hook-handed London-based preacher, who will appear at London's top-security Belmarsh Magistrates' Court, was arrested in a pre-dawn raid on May 27 by Scotland Yard officers.

The 46-year-old cleric stands accused of playing a key role in Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terror network.

The US authorities have labelled him "a freelance consultant to terrorism groups world-wide".

If he goes to America he could be jailed for up to 100 years for charges including conspiring to set up terrorist training camps in Oregon and Afghanistan.

The former Finsbury Park Mosque preacher has also been accused of playing a leading role in a hostage-taking incident in Yemen in 1998 in which four hostages - including three Britons - were killed.

Hostage-taking is a crime for which in theory he could face the death penalty if convicted under US law.

But Downing Street has confirmed that Hamza could not be extradited to face execution abroad under current UK rules for extradition, and that any such sentence, if imposed, would not be carried out.

Known for his inflammatory anti-American and extreme Islamist views post September 11, Hamza was alleged to be centrally involved in al Qaida's activities around the world since 1998.

It was not known if Hamza, whose full name has been given on the charge sheet as Mustafa Kamel Mustafa, will attend the proceedings.

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[knighthawk]

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