Britain Delays Abu Hamza Extradition

Posted September 26th, 2012 at 5:20 pm (UTC-5)
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A British court has delayed the extradition of accused terrorist Abu Hamza to the United States after he lodged a fresh appeal.

The court plans to hold a full hearing next Tuesday. It did not say on what grounds Abu Hamza and another terror suspect, Khaled Al-Fawwaz, are appealing the extradition orders.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled Monday that Abu Hamza and four others could be sent to the United States. The British Home Office says it intends to turn them over to the U.S. as soon as possible.

U.S. authorities have charged Abu Hamza with trying to set up a terrorist-training camp in the northwestern U.S. state of Oregon, and helping al-Qaida seize hostages in Yemen.

The Egyptian-born Abu Hamza lost an eye and both hands fighting Soviet forces in Afghanistan in the 1980s. He also headed a London mosque and was jailed in Britain for encouraging young Muslims to launch a holy war against non-believers.

Earlier this week, the BBC apologized to Buckingham Palace after a journalist reported that Queen Elizabeth had at one time complained that Abu Hamza was out of jail and making hate speeches.

The queen's complaint came during a private conversation with the BBC reporter. The BBC has a longstanding policy of not revealing details of private talks with the queen.