Radical Islamist cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has won a delay in his extradition from Britain to the United States, days after he lost an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. A statement from the judiciary said on Wednesday a judge had granted an injunction after Abu Hamza and one other suspect lodged fresh appeals against their extradition.
It did not give the basis of their appeals, but said these would be heard quickly in open court. The judge's ruling guarantees further publicity in a case which has gripped the British media and even dragged in Britain's Queen Elizabeth. Washington accuses the Egyptian-born 54-year-old of supporting al Qaeda, aiding a kidnapping in Yemen and plotting to open a US training camp for militants.
Abu Hamza, who could face a sentence of more than 100 years in an ultra-secure "Supermax" prison, has argued that he faces inhumane treatment in the United States. The Judicial Office, which handles communications from the judiciary, said in a statement both Abu Hamza and Khaled Al-Fawwaz, had launched fresh appeals but refused to answer questions about the details.