Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / UK
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

Tuesday, 28 November 2006, 14:45 GMT

Abu Hamza loses race-hate appeal

Abu Hamza Radical Islamic cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has lost his appeal against convictions for soliciting to murder and race-hate offences.

The London-based cleric, 48, was jailed for seven years in February following a trial at the Old Bailey.

His lawyers had argued the case was prejudiced by "unique" world events and a media hate-campaign.

Abu Hamza's trial defence was funded by Legal Aid and officials say they will now seek to recover some of the costs.

Hearings are to be held after an investigation by the Legal Services Commission amid claims that Abu Hamza purchased a £220,000 property in Greenford, west London, while in jail.

'Recruiting sergeant'

Abu Hamza was not present for the ruling.

His lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald QC, had told the Appeal court it was "unfair" to put him on trial for speeches made as far back as 1997 which attracted no police action at the time.

ABU HAMZA VERDICTS

Charges in full

Bid to recover legal costs

Events such as the September 2001 attacks on the US and the July 2005 bombings in London were said to have lessened the chances of a fair trial.

And Mr Fitzgerald argued that the legislation used to convict him should only apply to those who incite UK citizens to kill.

Dismissing the case, Lord Chief Justice Lord Phillips said: "There is no reason to believe that the jury were not able to consider and resolve the relevant issues objectively and impartially."

During his original trial, the prosecution described Abu Hamza as a recruiting sergeant for global terrorism.

More than 3,000 audio cassettes and 600 videos of speeches intended for wider distribution were found after his arrest.

US authorities are seeking the Egyptian-born cleric's extradition on terror-related matters.




E-mail this to a friend

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Crown Prosecution Service
Legal Services Commission
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©