Hamza to be extradited to US

Abu Hamza will now be sent to the States

Friday, 20, Jun 2008 12:00

The final bid by radical cleric Abu Hamza to fight his extradition to the US has fallen down.

High court judges Sir Igor Judge and Mr Justice Sullivan rejected his appeal on Friday morning.

Abu Hamza, 49, is currently in Belmarsh high-security prison serving a seven-year sentence for inciting murder and racial hatred.

He is wanted in the US to answer 11 terror charges, including accusations he financially supported al-Qaida and the Taliban.

His lawyers had unsuccessfully argued the charges were invalid as they were based on evidence gained through torture.

Abu Hamza now has 14 days in which to lodge a further appeal, which would be heard in the House of Lords.

Home secretary Jacqui Smith, who gave her final approval to the extradition request earlier this year, said she would not be commenting while the case was still active.