| Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has been remanded in custody after a brief appearance before magistrates by way of a video link. The north London preacher is being held at Belmarsh high-security prison and is fighting US attempts to extradite him. He faces 11 terrorism-related charges, including involvement in a 1989 Yemen kidnapping in which three Britons died. Mr Abu Hamza confirmed his name and date of birth before being remanded until 17 September. A full extradition hearing is due to resume on 19 October. If the court rules he should be extradited, the home secretary would then have to decide whether to order it. Under current UK rules Mr Abu Hamza cannot be extradited to face execution overseas and any such sentence, if imposed, would not be carried out. On her way to Bow Street Magistrates' Court on Friday, his lawyer Muddassar Arani said her client's health was deteriorating and a doctor had seen him on Thursday. She also said Muslim inmates were not being given proper halal food and she had raised the issue with the governor of Belmarsh. A Prison Service spokesman said Belmarsh respected prisoners' cultural and religious beliefs and had always served halal food. |