Posted by NEWS on 16/10/2004, 15:32:49 Abu Hamza, the radical Muslim cleric, is to face terrorism charges in the UK, delaying US extradition proceedings and upsetting the American authorities who wanted to try him for separate offences. Mr Hamza, 47, has been in the high security Belmarsh jail, in south-east London, since May, fighting extradition. But it emerged last night that British police are to charge the Egyptian-born preacher in the next week. The UK proceedings will take precedence over the extradition case, which was due to start next Tuesday, and will frustrate the Americans, who wanted to hold trials in the US and in Yemen. A UK legal source said the case had "deeply political ramifications", reaching all the way to the White House, and was subject to "very high level" discussions. British officials have explained to their US counterparts that the UK government has no power to interfere with the legal process. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had to obtain the consent of Lord Goldsmith, the attorney general, who took his decision in his capacity as guardian of the public interest rather than his role as government minister. The Metropolitan police have not revealed the nature of the charges. Anti-terrorist detectives have been investigating Mr Hamza about allegations that he helped with the financing, recruitment and logistics of al-Qaida-inspired groups in Britain. Legal sources told the Guardian that he could face incitement charges. Officers had showed Mr Hamza videos of his sermons and speeches at the Finsbury Park mosque in north London, where he was formerly the imam, and had questioned him about their meaning. Simple, fast loans from LogBookLoans. Unlock the money in... Borrow £5,000 to £100,000 at rates from 6.9% Apr. Instant... We've got thousands of satisfied customers who all agree... The police file, based on several months' work, was passed to the CPS. Lord Goldsmith was consulted and yesterday afternoon CPS lawyers briefed police chiefs. A CPS spokeswoman said: "We have given our advice to the police and the police will now take the appropriate action." The cleric is expected to be charged under one of his five names - Abu Hamza, Abu Hamza Al-Masri, Mustafa Kamel, Mustafa Kamel Mustafa, or Mustafa Mostafa Kamel Mostafa. The US authorities claim he has links with high-ranking Taliban and al-Qaida, that he helped militants who took 16 westerners hostage in Yemen in 1998. His son was jailed for his role in the kidnap. The US authorities also allege that Mr Hamza attempted to set up a terrorist training camp in Oregon in 1999, and have accused him of sending supporters to an al-Qaida training camp in Afghanistan. At a hearing for the extradition case in July, James Lewis QC, for the American government, accused Mr Hamza of being a "member of a global conspiracy to wage jihad against the United States and other countries". The US Justice Department declined to comment on the latest move last night. Mr Hamza has tried but failed to get bail on grounds of deteriorating health. He wears a hook on one arm, has one eye and suffers from diabetes and a skin complaint. Outside Finsbury Park mosque yesterday evening, Abdul Abdullah, a spokesman for Mr Hamza, claimed the former imam was being used as a "political pawn" by the UK and US governments. Mr Hamza and his followers were banned from the mosque after allegations that it was being used to recruit terrorists, but he continued to preach outside it every Friday. His supporters were allowed back inside last month.
Abu Hamza to face charges in Britain
Rosie Cowan, crime correspondent
The Guardian
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