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Abu Hamza's departure: An Olympic dream that has already died

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Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza has lodged an appeal over his extradition from the UK to America

I had a dream. An Olympic dream.

It was that - smack-bang in the middle of the Games, with British athletes winning medals by the fist-load - the nation would pause from enjoying the sport to watch a fanatic with hooks for hands being loaded on to a plane.

What a cause for celebration it would have been to finally see the back of Abu Hamza, after a decade-long extradition saga.

It wasn't a fanciful dream, either.

In April - after two interminable years of deliberation - Euro judges decided they could see no problem with Hamza being packed off to America, where he is wanted for allegedly setting up a terrorist training camp.

The deadline they set would have allowed for him to be booted out any day now, with the middle of the London games being the most likely point of departure.

Alas, it's not to be. There will be no cheering at the airport.

With typical cynicism, Hamza's lawyers - who have already pocketed a pirate's bounty in legal fees - waited until the very last second, then lobbed in yet another appeal to Strasbourg.

It has very little prospect of success.

Uncharacteristically, the European court of human rights was very firm in dismissing the case brought by Hamza, and a string of other alleged Islamist fanatics.

Despite being un characteristically strong thus far, the European Court of Human Rights will still at least waste some time contemplating whether to hear Hamza's latest appeal

The judges said there would be no breach of human rights if the men were to be held in solitary confinement at ADX Florence, a Federal Supermax jail in Colorado, used for people convicted of terrorism offences.

Indeed, they would face better conditions than jails in some parts of Europe, and would be ‘provided with services and activities (such as) television, radio, newspapers, books, hobby and craft items, telephone calls, social visits, correspondence with families, (and) group prayer, the court decided.

Plenty to keep Hamza busy, then.

      More from James Slack...   Analysis: Losing the 'right to reside test' could cost the UK economy up to £2bn a year, as EU says it 'discriminates against migrants' 30/05/13   What the Left doesn't want you to know about Britain's £200 billion welfare bill 29/04/13   An accident waiting to happen and a political class in paralysis 18/02/13   The police union that turned into a wounded animal 23/12/12   Mr Grieve simply will not stand up to the bullies of Strasbourg 25/10/12   Does Dave no longer care what Nick thinks? We can but hope 04/09/12   Can't pass the test for MI5? Never fear, there's a spying job for you at your local council 22/08/12   This Julian Assange spectacle is making a mockery of the police and wasting our money 21/08/12   Cut EU funding to lower the cost of train fares? Don't even think it on the BBC 20/08/12   VIEW FULL ARCHIVE

But, because the human rights legal system is such a racket, the court will still at least waste some time contemplating whether to hear Hamza's latest appeal.

And, because the wheels of justice in Strasbourg move so pathetically slowly, that will take at least two months - probably longer, given the judges shortly have an appointment with a big house or two in the south of France for their summer holidays.

Until a decision is made, Hamza is going nowhere. The law forbids it - as much as Tory MPs would like to see him on a plane regardless

And the British government - or you and I, more to the point - will continue to foot the bill for keeping the hate-preacher locked up in Belmarsh high-security jail, at a cost of £4,000-a-month

In all likelihood, we will still be rid of him within the year.

But, for playing the system, it's another gold medal to Hamza and his ever more wealthy legal team.


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