BRITAIN: Controversial Muslim cleric Abu Hamza has appeared at the Old Bailey via video link to face 16 charges including soliciting murder and racial hatred, writes Frank Millar, London Editor
Mr Hamza (47), spoke only to confirm that the name by which he is known in Britain is not in fact his real name. The Egyptian-born cleric - who is also known as Mustafa Kamel Mustafa - faces 10 charges of soliciting murder under section four of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. He is also charged on four counts of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to stir-up racial hatred, and on one count of having threatening, abusive or insulting audio and video recordings.
The one charge brought under the Terrorism Act 2000 is of possessing a document containing information "of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism".
Mr Hamza has been held at Belmarsh prison since May pending the hearing of extradition proceedings brought by the United States. That action has been suspended pending the prosecution of the UK case. Mr Hamza, who has always denied any involvement in terrorism, will appear for a plea hearing on December 21st.