E-Paper
Judge approves extradition to US of alleged Al-Qaeda supporter
The American is accused of supplying Al-Qaeda operatives with money and military equipment.
A British judge on Thursday approved the extradition of an American accused of supplying Al-Qaeda operatives with money and military equipment.
Syed Hashmi, 26, who lived in the New York borough of Queens before moving to Britain in 2003, will face trial in the United States if the Home Office gives final approval for the extradition.
It was not immediately clear if Hashmi would appeal the judge's ruling.
Hashmi was indicted in a New York federal court in May for allegedly providing military equipment to people who took it to members of Osama bin Laden's terrorist organisation in 2004.
The military gear was "to be used by Al-Qaeda to fight against United States forces in Afghanistan," the indictment said, without elaborating on what the equipment was.
Hashmi has lived in Britain since 2003 although his student visa has expired. He was arrested in June as he boarded a plane bound for Pakistan at London's Heathrow Airport.
He appeared on Thursday at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court before District Judge Nicholas Evans.
Washington announced on Monday that the US Senate unanimously approved a revised extradition treaty with Britain that critics say greatly reduces the level of evidence US Authorities must show to request the extradition of a British citizen.
Hashmi's lawyer, Mark Summers, said the United States should not be involved in the case.
