Terror suspects will be extradited to the US
Five suspected terrorists including Abu Hamza will be extradited to the US, ending a long legal battle, after UK High Court judges ruled the men could be extradited immediately.
Five suspected terrorists including Abu Hamza will be extradited to the US, ending a long legal battle, after UK High Court judges ruled the men could be extradited immediately.
Hamza, along with Syed Talha Ahsan, Adel Abdul Bary and Khaled al-Fawwaz, as well as Babar Ahmed, who has been held without charge since 2004, will all be extradited after a last ditch attempt to halt the move failed.
Their appeal came after the European Court of Human Rights backed UK courts in ruling for extradition. The men argued that they will face inhumane treatment in the US if they are sent there.
Hamza is wanted over allegations he plotted to set up a terrorist training camp in America and was involved in kidnapping Western hostages in Yemen. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment. His legal battle has lasted more than eight years and cost millions of pounds.
The latest appeal came after the 54-year-olds lawyers argued that he may not be fit to face trial on medical grounds.
During the hearing, Judge Sir John Thomas said: There are excellent medical facilities in the United States. If (Abu Hamza) is at risk of a degenerative condition, the sooner he is put on trial the better. I don`t see how delay is in the interests of justice.
In dismissing the cases, Sir John told the court there could be no doubt that each man has, over the many years, either taken or had the opportunity to take every conceivable point to prevent his extradition to the United States.
The Home Office welcomed the High Courts decision and is now working to extradite these men as quickly as possible.