Abu Hamza al Masri: Extradition request leaves Britain in a quandary

Coming to a prison near you

Britain’s infamous Muslim enfant terrible, ex-Finsbury Park mosque leader Sheikh Abu Hamza al-Masri, whose pro-Al Qaida rhetoric and associations with accused terrorists made him the favourite fodder of London tabloids, has finally had his bluff called – but not by his (soon to be former) citizenry. After years of wringing their hands due to lack of sufficient evidence, London police arrested him on an extradition warrant issued by the US for hostage taking in Yemen (whose own extradition requests were ignored) and “supporting the al Qaeda network.” While Britain has held it’s ground in the past, recent US releases of Guantanamo Brits (who were immediately re-released without charge) may have greased the wheels for his arrest. However, within hours, US Attorney General John Ashcroft stated that based on the charges against him (which Britain had trouble levying on its own), al Masri could face the death penalty. This presents a problem for the British government, as current extradition treaties between the US and Britain are bound by EU prohibitions on application of the death penalty, leaving Britain caught in between its desire to get rid of al Masri (who, despite his hatred of Britain, doesn’t want to go) and its staunch anti-capital punishment principles.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.