A British terror suspect accused of running websites inciting murder and urging Muslims to fight a holy war today lost the first round of his court battle against extradition to the US. The home secretary, Charles Clarke, now has 60 days to decide whether Babar Ahmad should be sent to the US to face charges that he raised money to support terrorism in Chechnya and Afghanistan through internet sites and emails. Mr Ahmad denies the accusations.
The judge said “none of the statutory bars” applied to refusing extradition, but accepted it was a “difficult and troubling case” that was sure to go to the high court. “The defendant is a British subject who is alleged to have committed offences which, if the evidence were available, could have been prosecuted in this country,” Judge Workman said.