Britain to Send Accused Terrorist to US for Trial

Posted October 5th, 2012 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
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Accused terrorist Abu Hamza will be sent from Britain to the United States to face charges.

Britain's high court Friday rejected Abu Hamza's final appeal and ruled that he and four other terror suspects are fit to travel to the U.S. to stand trial.

Lawyers for Abu Hamza argued he should not be extradited from Britain until he gets an MRI scan after suffering several years of poor health. Attorney Alun Jones told the court earlier this week it would be “oppressive” to send him to the U.S. to face terrorism charges if Abu Hamza is unfit to plead.

Last week a British court delayed the extradition after Abu Hamza lodged a fresh appeal. He has been detained in Britain for inciting hate by encouraging young Muslims to launch a holy war against non-believers.

He faces U.S. charges that he tried to set up a terrorist training camp in the 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.

Following Friday's ruling, the British Home Office said it intends to turn Abu Hamza and the other suspects over to U.S. custody as soon as possible.