Abu Hamza, 4 others tied to al-Qaida arrive in US to face terrorism charges

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ReutersTerror suspect Abu Hamza al-Masri leads prayer at the North London Mosque at Finsbury Park in Feb.2003.By Kari Huus, NBC NewsAn extremist preacher and four other men accused of terrorism by the U.S government arrived in New York overnight after they lost a years-long battle to remain in the United Kingdom. Two of them later appeared before a federal court.

The preacher, Abu Hamza al-Masri, is charged in connection with the abduction of 16 people, including two American tourists, in Yemen in 1998; conspiring to set up a terrorist training camp in Bly, Ore., in 1999; and supporting violent jihad in Afghanistan in 2000 and 2001.

Follow @NBCNewsWorld   In a final appeal to avert extradition, lawyers for the 54-year-old argued he could not travel because of poor health. The Egyptian-born British citizen has one eye and hooks in place of hands he claims to have lost fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan. Lawyers said he suffers from depression, chronic sleep deprivation, diabetes and other ailments.




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