Radical Muslim cleric arrested
2004-05-27 10:04
London - The radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri, known for his fiery sermons at a north London mosque, has been arrested following a US request for his extradition, British police said on Thursday.
Abu Hamza, who was born in Egypt and acquired British citizenship through marriage, has courted controversy by his sermons calling for jihad, or holy war, against western interests, and notably denouncing the US-led invasion of Iraq.
The government is seeking to strip the imam of his nationality, but he is currently appealing the decision.
Abu Hamza preaches at a mosque in the Finsbury Park neighbourhood of London.
- AFP