The British High Court on Thursday granted the government approval to extradite Haroon Aswat, who is wanted in the United States for allegedly conspiring to establish a jihadi training camp in Oregon with convicted terrorist Abu Hamza.
The European Court of Human Rights blocked the extradition last year over fears about the way Aswat, who suffers from severe mental health problems, would be treated in the US.
But Home Secretary Theresa May challenged the ruling, and in April the High Court gave her two months to seek assurances from American authorities that he would be sent to a psychiatric referral centre to be examined by doctors.
At Thursday’s hearing, the judges said they were satisfied with the assurances they had received.
Aswat, who is reportedly in his 30s and comes from Yorkshire, northern England, was arrested in Britain in 2005 following an extradition request from the US.
Three years later he was transferred from prison to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
The European court last year said his being sent to an American “supermax” prison, likely the ADX Florence facility in Colorado, would cause his health to deteriorate and breach his human rights.
Home Office officials said that they were “pleased” at Thursday’s ruling but that there was still further legal action open to Aswat.
“Aswat’s legal team has been given an opportunity to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court,” a spokesman said. “Subject to any application, arrangements will now be made for his extradition.”
Hamza, 56, was convicted in May of 11 terrorism and kidnapping charges. He faces life in prison when he is sentenced later next week.
GNA
PDC
