British to extradite man to US on terror charges

British Home Secretary Charles Clarke has decided to order the extradition of a London man  to the United States on terror charges…

British Home Secretary Charles Clarke has decided to order the extradition of a London man  to the United States on terror charges.

Babar Ahmad's family said they would be appealing against his extradition in the High Court.

The US alleges that Ahmad, currently being held in jail in the UK, raised money to support terrorism in Chechnya and Afghanistan through internet sites and emails.

Ahmad, a computer expert from Tooting, south west London, has been accused of running websites inciting murder and urging Muslims to fight holy war. He is currently being held in Woodhill Prison, Milton Keynes. In a posting on his website, he said: "This decision should only come as a surprise to those who thought that there was still justice for Muslims in Britain.

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"I entrust my affairs to Allah and His Words from the Q'uran."

It has taken Mr Clarke six months to decide on the case.

A judge ruled in May that Ahmad could be removed from Britain to face trial in the US, a decision which sparking anger among Muslim groups who branded it a "travesty of justice".

The Home Secretary had an initial 60 days to approve or reject the judge's decision.

But he was twice given two-month extensions because of the "complex representations made about the case". The case could now come to the High Court on a judicial review application.

In previous extradition hearings in the case, Ahmad's lawyers complained he could be at risk of the death penalty if sent to the US and transferred to military jurisdiction at Guantanamo Bay.

PA