Muslim cleric Abu Hamza is no longer being questioned by UK authorities on alleged terror offences after being de-arrested. But he remains detained at the high-security Belmarsh prison, where he has been since May following an extradition request from the US. Hamza was arrested at the prison in south-east London last week under the Terrorism Act 2000 and taken to Paddington Green police station for questioning on suspicion of being involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The cleric faces 11 charges in the US where he is accused of playing a key role in Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terror network. The allegations also relate to a hostage-taking incident in the Yemen in 1988 in which three Britons were killed.
Hamza is also accused of trying to set up a terror training camp in the US state of Oregon and sending another radical Islamic fundamentalist to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban. Detectives at Scotland Yard were understood to be probing allegations relating to the provision of support for terrorism, rather than involvement in any specific plot. The full extradition hearing is due to resume at Bow Street Magistrates' Court in central London on October 19. |