Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Hamza 'could be extradited in 28 days'

Nigel Morris
Friday 08 February 2008 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The extradition of the extremist Islamic cleric Abu Hamza to the United States on a series of terrorism charges has been authorised by Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary.

The Egyptian-born preacher, who ran the Finsbury Park mosque in north London, is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Britain for inciting murder and racial hatred, possessing "threatening, abusive or insulting recordings" and for having a document useful to terrorists.

Abu Hamza, 49, is sought by the US authorities on 11 charges, including providing support to al-Qa'ida and involvement in a hostage-taking plot in Yemen. He could be extradited within 28 days. American officials said he will not face the death penalty or be sent to Guantanamo Bay, but the charges carry a potential jail sentence of 100 years.

The cleric has 14 days to appeal against extradition.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in