Abu Hamza Al-Masri, who is wanted in the United States on terrorism charges, could be charged in Britain within weeks, a government lawyer said yesterday. Al-Masri, 47, who has been held since May on a US warrant, appeared by video link from Belmarsh Prison in southeast London at an extradition hearing at Bow Street Magistrates Court. Treasury Counsel Hugo Keith, appearing for the US authorities, said London's Metropolitan Police had completed their investigation of Al-Masri and reported to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide whether to charge him under the Terrorism Act. "It's my understanding that a decision is likely to be made around about the end of the first week in October," Keith said. The Crown Prosecution Service said it hoped to make a decision before the extradition hearing scheduled for Oct. 19.British police questioned Al-Masri last month on suspicion of terrorism offenses in Britain. Officers later said he was no longer being questioned about possible offenses in this country, but Keith said the British investigation was continuing. The US authorities have 11 charges against Al-Masri relating to terrorism, including allegedly trying to establish a terrorist training camp in Bly, Ore., between October 1999 and early 2000, involvement in hostage-taking in Yemen and funding terrorism training in Afghanistan. But if Al-Masri is charged in Britain, those proceedings would take precedence over the proposed extradition to the United States. Lawyer Paul Hynes, acting for Al-Masri, said: "All we have been told is that the file has been sent to the CPS. We do not know a date when any decision will be made."
Before yesterday's 20-minute hearing, Al-Masri could be seen by video link having an animated discussion with a prison guard and waving his arms. Keith said that if Al-Masri was not charged under British law, a five-day extradition hearing would start Oct. 19. A series of experts would be called to give evidence, including on religious and political issues, he said. Before that, a hearing will be held at Bow Street, with Al-Masri appearing again by video link, on Oct. 13. Judge Timothy Workman ordered Al-Masri to remain in custody until that hearing.