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Three Britons fight extradition on terror charges Three Britons fight extradition on terror charges
(about 2 hours later)
Three men alleged to be key members of an Isis-affiliated terror group that plotted to execute attacks across Europe and kidnap diplomats are fighting extradition from Britain.Three men alleged to be key members of an Isis-affiliated terror group that plotted to execute attacks across Europe and kidnap diplomats are fighting extradition from Britain.
Bakr Hamad, Zana Rahim and Awat Hamasalih held senior positions in Rawti Shax, a “transnational, radical and fundamentalist group” whose purpose was to carry out violent acts in the west, it is claimed.Bakr Hamad, Zana Rahim and Awat Hamasalih held senior positions in Rawti Shax, a “transnational, radical and fundamentalist group” whose purpose was to carry out violent acts in the west, it is claimed.
Operating through cells in Britain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Finland and Norway, as well as Middle Eastern nations, it aimed to “intimidate the population and to put pressure on public powers and international organisations”, according to prosecutors.Operating through cells in Britain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Finland and Norway, as well as Middle Eastern nations, it aimed to “intimidate the population and to put pressure on public powers and international organisations”, according to prosecutors.
The Sunni-Kurdish group’s primary objective was to overthrow the government of Kurdistan and establish a caliphate alongside Islamic State territory in Syria, the court heard.The Sunni-Kurdish group’s primary objective was to overthrow the government of Kurdistan and establish a caliphate alongside Islamic State territory in Syria, the court heard.
But when its leader, Mullah Krekar, was arrested and jailed in Norway in 2012, the group drew up plans to kidnap and hold dignitaries, including the British ambassador, to barter for his release.But when its leader, Mullah Krekar, was arrested and jailed in Norway in 2012, the group drew up plans to kidnap and hold dignitaries, including the British ambassador, to barter for his release.
Hamad, 38, of Kingston-upon-Hull, Rahim, 32, of Derby and Hamasalih, 38, of Birmingham, were arrested last Thursday as part of coordinated raids across Europe led by the Italian authorities. Thirteen people were taken into custody in Italy, Norway and the UK as part of the investigation.Hamad, 38, of Kingston-upon-Hull, Rahim, 32, of Derby and Hamasalih, 38, of Birmingham, were arrested last Thursday as part of coordinated raids across Europe led by the Italian authorities. Thirteen people were taken into custody in Italy, Norway and the UK as part of the investigation.
Italian prosecutors initially issued European arrest warrants for four individuals living in Britain, although action against one alleged member of the group was dropped.Italian prosecutors initially issued European arrest warrants for four individuals living in Britain, although action against one alleged member of the group was dropped.
The trio appeared in custody at Westminster magistrates court where prosecutor Daniel Sternberg, representing the Italian authorities, described the alleged threat posed by the group. The three appeared in custody at Westminster magistrates court, where prosecutor Daniel Sternberg, representing the Italian authorities, described the alleged threat posed by the group.
He said: “The organisation aimed to establish caliphate in Iraqi Kurdistan and sought to establish cells in Europe to share and disseminate jihadi material and to participate in jihad in Iraq and Syria together with Islamic State and al-Nusra.”He said: “The organisation aimed to establish caliphate in Iraqi Kurdistan and sought to establish cells in Europe to share and disseminate jihadi material and to participate in jihad in Iraq and Syria together with Islamic State and al-Nusra.”
The organisation was structured with secrecy at its core and its members communicated online through a “virtual headquarters” called KurduIslam, the court heard.The organisation was structured with secrecy at its core and its members communicated online through a “virtual headquarters” called KurduIslam, the court heard.
Sternberg continued: “It drew up plans to carry out violent actions against European and western targets to intimidate the population and to put pressure on public powers and international organisations.”Sternberg continued: “It drew up plans to carry out violent actions against European and western targets to intimidate the population and to put pressure on public powers and international organisations.”
The organisation also helped finance fighters training with the Kurdistan Battalion in a camp on the Afghanistan-Kurdistan border destined for Syria, it was claimed.The organisation also helped finance fighters training with the Kurdistan Battalion in a camp on the Afghanistan-Kurdistan border destined for Syria, it was claimed.
Sternberg described Rahim as a “leading man” of Rawti Shax, an offshoot of the Kurdish-Iraqi jihadi network Ansar al-Islam. “He is the son-in-law of Krekar and is described as a close collaborator in the direction of the organisation,” he said, adding that Rahim often acted as the group’s spokesman and an “administrator” in its chatrooms.Sternberg described Rahim as a “leading man” of Rawti Shax, an offshoot of the Kurdish-Iraqi jihadi network Ansar al-Islam. “He is the son-in-law of Krekar and is described as a close collaborator in the direction of the organisation,” he said, adding that Rahim often acted as the group’s spokesman and an “administrator” in its chatrooms.
Rahim headed the group’s “press and distribution committee” charged with disseminating the leader’s orders and propaganda which he also appeared in, it was said. The material was smuggled out of the Norwegian prison by family members and visitors, although Rahim was also a trusted conduit for passing sensitive information on to the leader, the court heard.Rahim headed the group’s “press and distribution committee” charged with disseminating the leader’s orders and propaganda which he also appeared in, it was said. The material was smuggled out of the Norwegian prison by family members and visitors, although Rahim was also a trusted conduit for passing sensitive information on to the leader, the court heard.
Various financial matters were part of Rahim’s job description in the network, as was protecting the security of its chatroom, the court heard. Some members of the group feared it may be infiltrated by British spies.Various financial matters were part of Rahim’s job description in the network, as was protecting the security of its chatroom, the court heard. Some members of the group feared it may be infiltrated by British spies.
Hamad, of All Saints Street, Kingston-upon-Hull, Rahim, of Curzon Street, Derby and Hamasalih, of Finchley Road, Birmingham, all denied consent for extradition at an earlier hearing.Hamad, of All Saints Street, Kingston-upon-Hull, Rahim, of Curzon Street, Derby and Hamasalih, of Finchley Road, Birmingham, all denied consent for extradition at an earlier hearing.
The men’s lawyers explained they would be challenging the extradition on grounds of “refoulment”, the illegal returning of refugees. They may also invoke article two (right to life) and article three (prohibition of torture) of the European convention on human rights.The men’s lawyers explained they would be challenging the extradition on grounds of “refoulment”, the illegal returning of refugees. They may also invoke article two (right to life) and article three (prohibition of torture) of the European convention on human rights.
A fourth man arrested last Thursday was earlier told he no longer faced action. Sharif Kadir, of Gleadless Road, Sheffield, appeared ahead of the extradition hearing.A fourth man arrested last Thursday was earlier told he no longer faced action. Sharif Kadir, of Gleadless Road, Sheffield, appeared ahead of the extradition hearing.
Sternberg said a judge sitting in Trento, northern Italy, had reviewed the evidence against the 52-year-old and stayed the request before issuing documents to the National Crime Agency in Britain, the court heard.Sternberg said a judge sitting in Trento, northern Italy, had reviewed the evidence against the 52-year-old and stayed the request before issuing documents to the National Crime Agency in Britain, the court heard.
“As far as the reasons for that are concerned there is not a great deal I can say as to why it has been withdrawn,” the prosecutor said.“As far as the reasons for that are concerned there is not a great deal I can say as to why it has been withdrawn,” the prosecutor said.
The hearing continues.The hearing continues.