Masri Appears In N.Y. Court Hours After Extradition

Abu Hamza al-Masri

Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has appeared in a New York court, hours after arriving in the United States after being extradited from Britain.

Hamza, who faces a range of terrorism charges related to supporting Al-Qaeda, left the court without entering a plea and complained through his lawyer that the prosthetic hooks he wears for hands had been removed by his U.S. captors.

Two additional suspects pleaded not guilty.

An additional two are set to appear before a court in Connecticut.

All five were flown to the U.S. on October 6 after Britain's High Court rejected a final appeal, clearing the way for their extradition.

Hamza is suspected of masterminding a Yemen hostage-taking and plotting a militant training camp on U.S. soil.


Based on reporting by dpa, Reuters, and AP