Terrorist suspect: I have won moral victory despite extradition
By Charles Maggs Follow @charlesmaggs
Terrorist suspect Babar Ahmad today insisted he could “hold his head high” despite conceding defeat in his battle to avoid extradition to the US.
Ahmad is one of five terrorist suspects – including infamous radical cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri – whose cases were decided today.
Ahmad is accused of running websites sympathetic to terrorists in Chechnya and Afghanistan whilst studying at the University of London.
He has been held for over eight years without trial under anti-terrorism legislation – longer than anyone in recent British history.
“By exposing the fallacy of the UK’s extradition arrangements with the US, I leave with my head held high having won the moral victory,” he said.
Judges said the extradition of Ahmad, Hamza and three others can “proceed immediately”.
Hamza had claimed his health had deteriorated significantly whilst in prison in the UK and is subsequently unfit for trial, but the high court dismissed this claim.
It is estimated that Hamza’s case has cost taxpayers millions in legal aid.
Through its Twitter account, the Home Office said: “We welcome the High Court decision on Abu Hamza & others.
“We are now working to extradite these men as quickly as possible”.
There was controversy last month when BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner revealed that the Queen had told him of her frustration at the country’s inability to imprison Hamza before his conviction.
