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November 16, 2005
UK: Clarke Approves Extradition of Islamist Suspect to US
Today, Charles Clarke, the British Home Secretary (pictured playing dress-up), announced his decision to extradite a UK citizen, Babar Ahmad to the United States, reports ctv,ca, from Associated Press information.
On May 17, judge Timothy Workman declared that 31-year old Ahmad, a computer specialist, could be sent to the US to face charges of: supporting terrorism, conspiring to kill Americans, and maintaining a website used to fund terrorists. The ruling stated that the UK Home Secretary would need to give final permission.
Ahmad has been in custody in the UK since he was arrested on a US extradition order in August 2004. He is accused of running several websites, which were used to recruit terrorists. The most important of these was Azzam.com, which recruited people for al-Qaeda, the Taliban and Chechen Islamist separatist organisations. The website also supplied gas masks, night-vision goggles and camouflage clothing.
The order was agreed after the US stated Ahmad would not face a death penalty, nor be charged as an "enemy combatant". Ahmad's lawyers say he is being made a scapegoat, but do not appear to say what he is being made a scapegoat for.
An update from 8pm GMT - from the Scotsman. Ahmad, from Tooting, south London, has announced that he will be appealing against the Home Secretary's decision. Ahmad, formerly employed at prestigious Imperial College as an administrator, apparently named his website after Abdallah Azzam, an Islamist who developed theories about global jihad, and was regarded by Osama bin Laden as a mentor.
Currently being held in Woodhill prison, Babar Ahmad has said ""This decision should only come as a surprise to those who thought that there was still justice for Muslims in Britain. I entrust my affairs to Allah and His Words from the Quran." His wife Maryam said the decision was a {political{ one, and would further alienate the Muslim community.
Well, if the Muslim community supports the erection of jihadist websites urging people to go to war against governments and innocent citizens, perhaps they are already alienated. I doubt most do support jihadist atrocities like those of Osma din Laden, but those who do should be deported. Britain is not a Muslim state and never will be without war and bloodshed first, and if Muslims want it to be so, perhaps they could move to Saudi Arabia or Iran, and find out how wonderful life is there.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at November 16, 2005 8:11 AM
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