Britain OKs Extradition of Terror Suspect

Britain OKs Extradition of Terror Suspect


Wednesday November 16, 2005 2:46 pm

By JILL LAWLESS

Associated Press Writer

LONDON (AP) - Home Secretary Charles Clarke ordered Wednesday that
British citizen Babar Ahmad be extradited to the United States to face
terrorism charges under controversial new rules allowing countries to
seek extradition without producing evidence of a crime.

Ahmad's family said it would appeal the decision, which Clarke
announced after deliberating for six months.

A judge ruled May 17 that the 31-year-old computer specialist could
be sent to the United States to face charges of supporting terrorism,
conspiring to kill Americans and running a Web site used to fund
terrorists.

The case is proceeding under new extradition rules that lessen the
burden of proof in some cases, allowing certain countries - including
the United States - to provide "nformation" rather than evidence
that a crime was committed.