Menu
05/11/2010
Abu Hamza Wins Passport Appeal
A radical cleric has won his court battle against Government attempts to seize his British passport.
Abu Hamza argued the move would render him "stateless" as he has already lost his Egyptian citizenship after he acquired his passport through marriage.
The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) sided with 52-year-old Hamza, who is currently serving a seven-year prison term for inciting murder and race hate.
In 2003, attempts to withdraw his passport were launched by the then home secretary David Blunkett.
At the ruling, Mr Justice Mitting said: "We are satisfied on balance of probabilities that if a deprivation order were to be made, the appellant would be made stateless."
Hamza's claim that he was no longer an Egyptian national was rejected by the Government.
In 1982, he was denied an Egyptian passport, but argued a decree issued six years later meant he was allowed one.
However Sabah al Mukhtar, Egyptian law expert appearing as a witness for Hamza's legal team, told the commission it was possible Hamza had been stripped of his nationality upon obtaining a British passport.
He added his interpretation of the law stated if an Egyptian gained foreign nationality without permission, they would be stripped of Egyptian citizenship. However, the expert admitted some of his report was based on speculation.
James Strachan, Home Office lawyer, argued the 1988 decree stated Hamza "was granted permission to obtain British nationality and to retain his Egyptian nationality".
The Egyptian government would not confirm whether Hamza's nationality had been revoked or not.
Mr Justice Mitting said the panel had heard from experts who "had very good grounds for believing... that a decree had been issued, probably unpublished, which effectively stripped the appellant of his (Egyptian) nationality".
Hamza is currently at Belmarsh Prison, where he is challenging attempts to extradite him to the US on terror charges.
The case was delayed by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in July.
(BMcN)
Abu Hamza argued the move would render him "stateless" as he has already lost his Egyptian citizenship after he acquired his passport through marriage.
The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) sided with 52-year-old Hamza, who is currently serving a seven-year prison term for inciting murder and race hate.
In 2003, attempts to withdraw his passport were launched by the then home secretary David Blunkett.
At the ruling, Mr Justice Mitting said: "We are satisfied on balance of probabilities that if a deprivation order were to be made, the appellant would be made stateless."
Hamza's claim that he was no longer an Egyptian national was rejected by the Government.
In 1982, he was denied an Egyptian passport, but argued a decree issued six years later meant he was allowed one.
However Sabah al Mukhtar, Egyptian law expert appearing as a witness for Hamza's legal team, told the commission it was possible Hamza had been stripped of his nationality upon obtaining a British passport.
He added his interpretation of the law stated if an Egyptian gained foreign nationality without permission, they would be stripped of Egyptian citizenship. However, the expert admitted some of his report was based on speculation.
James Strachan, Home Office lawyer, argued the 1988 decree stated Hamza "was granted permission to obtain British nationality and to retain his Egyptian nationality".
The Egyptian government would not confirm whether Hamza's nationality had been revoked or not.
Mr Justice Mitting said the panel had heard from experts who "had very good grounds for believing... that a decree had been issued, probably unpublished, which effectively stripped the appellant of his (Egyptian) nationality".
Hamza is currently at Belmarsh Prison, where he is challenging attempts to extradite him to the US on terror charges.
The case was delayed by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in July.
(BMcN)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 February 2006
Police defend Hamza investigation
Police have defended the length of time taken to prosecute radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri. Egyptian-born Hamza, 47, was jailed for seven years on charges of inciting hatred and racial hatred.
Police defend Hamza investigation
Police have defended the length of time taken to prosecute radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri. Egyptian-born Hamza, 47, was jailed for seven years on charges of inciting hatred and racial hatred.
18 April 2003
Hardline Muslim cleric appeals deportation decision
Lawyers representing the fundamentalist Muslim cleric Sheikh Abu Hamza have lodged an appeal over the decision by the Home Secretary to deport him.
Hardline Muslim cleric appeals deportation decision
Lawyers representing the fundamentalist Muslim cleric Sheikh Abu Hamza have lodged an appeal over the decision by the Home Secretary to deport him.
20 June 2008
Muslim Cleric Faces US Extradition
High profile muslim cleric Abu Hamza has lost his High Court battle against extradition to the United States where he is expected to face terror-related charges. Egyptian-born Hamza is currently serving a seven-year jail term in Belmarsh prison in London for inciting murder and race hate.
Muslim Cleric Faces US Extradition
High profile muslim cleric Abu Hamza has lost his High Court battle against extradition to the United States where he is expected to face terror-related charges. Egyptian-born Hamza is currently serving a seven-year jail term in Belmarsh prison in London for inciting murder and race hate.
18 November 2004
Israel apologises after IDF kills three Egyptian policemen
The Israeli government has apologised after its troops killed three Egyptian policemen near the border at Rafah. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have apologised for the incident, claiming the Egyptians were wrongly identified as a terrorist cell attempting to slip into the Gaza Strip.
Israel apologises after IDF kills three Egyptian policemen
The Israeli government has apologised after its troops killed three Egyptian policemen near the border at Rafah. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have apologised for the incident, claiming the Egyptians were wrongly identified as a terrorist cell attempting to slip into the Gaza Strip.
08 October 2010
New Passport Design Hits Streets
The first new look UK passport has been issued today to five-year-old Elliot Coutts Miller. Elliot, who attends Shortwood Infant School, Staines in Surrey, received his passport at the London passport office based in Globe House in Victoria.
New Passport Design Hits Streets
The first new look UK passport has been issued today to five-year-old Elliot Coutts Miller. Elliot, who attends Shortwood Infant School, Staines in Surrey, received his passport at the London passport office based in Globe House in Victoria.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
