(UK) Judge refuses to handcuff suspect (U.S. Believes He Could Escape)

[Khephra]

Judge refuses to handcuff suspect

US request rejected in terrorism extradition case

Owen Bowcott
Saturday August 14, 2004
The Guardian

An American request for a British terrorist suspect to be handcuffed in a central London court was dismissed by a judge hearing the extradition case yesterday.

Babar Ahmad, 30, a computer analyst from Tooting in south London, was appearing for a second time at Bow Street magistrates court. He is accused of raising money, through websites and email, to support terrorism in Chechnya and Afghanistan.

Mark Summers, for the US government, asked for Mr Ahmad, who was flanked by two security guards, to be handcuffed at the hearing.

"There are concerns that an escape could be mounted (if he is not) handcuffed," Mr Summers said. His request, he added, was based on confidential reports showing Mr Ahmad's alleged links with terrorist groups. But the district judge, Christopher Pratt, refused the application.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1282789,00.html

[JohnLocke]

1. Good for the magistrate!