Extradition 'could take months'

[seemslikeadream]

Thursday, May 27, 2004 Posted: 1333 GMT (2133 HKT)



LONDON, England -- Legal experts in Britain say the extradition of controversial Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to the U.S. on charges relating to terrorism could take many months.

With lengthy appeals procedures, the average time for an successful extradition out of the UK is now around one year.

"This case could take months and months to sort out," a senior British security source told Reuters.

If he is to be extradited, Washington would have to guarantee the Egyptian-born cleric will not face the death penalty, which has been abolished in Britain.

The new "fast-track" Anglo-American extradition treaty, which came into force at the start of this year, means U.S. officials no longer have to produce in a British court prima facie (first impression) evidence of an offence -- just a statement of facts of the alleged offence.

more
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/05/27/uk.extradition.process/

[maddezmom]

1. watching Asscrack blab on & on, now Walt Rogers is saying not a done deal

another photo-op for Johnny boy to show how tough he is on terraya.

[Career Prole]

2. Interesting conundrum Bush and Blair have here...

Britain rightly won't extradite someone who faces the death penalty, and Bush* has an unquenchable bloodlust. If bush* refuses to take the death penalty off the table for Abu Hamza one leader or the other will be forced to blink, no?
In addition, there's bush*'s vow to take the roadshow of "The War On Terror" to any nation which harbors terrorists. So...will he invade Britain next? Add them to the Axis of Evil?
Any U.K. DUers listening in? What's public opinion there?
Bloody 'ell! 'Ere's another fine mess!

[D-Notice]

3. Over here..

I'm sure either our beloved Home Secretary David Blunkett, or our fantastic Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will cut a deal so he'll be shipped over to you quite soon... ;-)

According to the Guardian, our extradition treaty with you expressly forbids the death penalty being sought, so why'd Ashcroft mention it?

Guardian

[seemslikeadream]

4. Hi english guy

we need you here. Welcome

[Career Prole]

5. Some sort of sick "loyalty test", I'd imagine.

I imagine the British public will oppose the extradition tooth and nail. You've impressed me so far with your vocalism. :thumbsup:
Welcome to DU, english guy! :hi: :toast:

[Briar]

8. 'Fraid not

"I imagine the British public will oppose the extradition tooth and nail. You've impressed me so far with your vocalism."

The Great British Public can be seen clambering onto roof tops to display banners saying "Sling Ur Hook". Hamza has become a hate figure in the tabloid press. In fact it was to please the tabloid press, as usual, that Blair probably asked for this show arrest and arraignment. The Sun was able to lead with it in its earliest editions because they'd got the news (from an unknown source probably not 100 miles from Downing Street) three hours before the arrest. The is government by gutter press, courtesy of a man afraid of Rupert Murdoch's influence and ever-ready to cosy up to rottweiller's like Trevor Kavanagh (who also got a nice gift wrapped scoop when the Hutton report turned up on his doorstep before its official publication so that he could set the pro-Bliar agenda in the news coverage).

[struggle4progress]

6. Perhaps it's all show for the American media market

If prosecutors on your side of the pond have never seen fit to charge him, there may not be much of a case.

On the other hand, the gang of thugs controlling our government just loves to get front page press coverage for "arresting terrorists," although with some frequency a correction story eventually shows up to the effect that it was all poppycock.

Ashcroft is probably aiming at the media with his death penalty noise, trying to convince Americans he's tough on terrorism. But there's also a possibility that he's setting up for a real death penalty sentence if your government "forgets" to say exactly the right words at the time the suspect is shipped over.

[D-Notice]

7. A day later...

Looks like I was right! :D

yahoo

[seemslikeadream]

9. english guy

:toast: