Race-hate trial of Hamza begins in London

Muslim cleric Abu Hamza appeared at the Old Bailey today to face trial accused of race hate crimes.

Muslim cleric Abu Hamza appeared at the Old Bailey today to face trial accused of race hate crimes.

Controversial Islamic preacher Abu Hamza who is due to face trial this week accused of race hate crimes including soliciting murder.
Controversial Islamic preacher Abu Hamza who is due to face trial this week accused of race hate crimes including soliciting murder.

The former imam of Finsbury Park mosque in north London, who has no hands and only one eye, sat flanked by three dock officers as preliminary matters were dealt with.

The case is not expected to open before Wednesday, but a jury may be sworn in later today.

Hamza (47) from west London, faces nine charges under the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861 alleging he solicited others at public meetings to murder Jews and other non-Muslims.

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He also faces four charges under the Public Order Act 1986 of "using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of stirring up racial hatred".

A further charge alleges Hamza was in possession of video and audio recordings, which he intended to distribute to stir up racial hatred.

The final charge under section 58 of the Terrorism Act accuses him of possession of a document, the Encyclopaedia of the Afghani Jihad, which contained information "of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".

The offences are alleged to have been committed before May, 2004.

Hamza has denied all charges.