US bid delayed to extradite British radical cleric

THE US attempt to extradite Abu Hamza has been delayed after the radical Muslim cleric appealed against his conviction in the United Kingdom.

Hamza appeared via videolink at Bow Street Magistrates' Court in London this week. His case has been adjourned until July 2006 with the extradition request being put back for the appeal to be heard.

In February, Egyptian-born Hamza, 47, was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of 11 charges, including stirring racial hatred and soliciting murder, by an Old Bailey jury and has been in jail since May 2004.

Britain's most well-known Islamist orator has been charged by US prosecutors with nine terrorism-related offences, with the most serious charge being hostage taking in connection with an incident in Yemen in 1998.

If found guilty Hamza could face life imprisonment or the death penalty under US law.

The British authorities have previously refused extradition requests from Yemen, where he is wanted for the same offence.
Followers who worshipped at the Finsbury Park mosque included convicted "shoebomber" Richard Reid and "20th hijacker" Zacarais Moussaoui, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to the September 11 attacks.

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