US accuses hate preacher Abu Hamza of being 'global terrorist mastermind'

Washington, April 15 (ANI): Prosecutors in the Unites States have accused radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza of being a global terrorist mastermind.

Hamza, 53, is accused of playing a major role in the seizure of 16 western hostages in Yemen, which ended with the death of three Britons.

Hamza allegedly sent followers to set up a terrorist training camp in Oregon State in the US around the time he was preaching outside Finsbury Park mosque in north London.

A 32-page indictment by US prosecutors also alleged that he paid for a supporter to go to a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan, The Express.co.uk reports.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the US Attorney's office in New York said that, 'if convicted, Hamza could face the death penalty.'

He further said that it was more likely that Hamza would serve life imprisonment, because Britain would not extradite people if they face execution.

The European Court of Human Rights last week announced Hamza could legally be extradited to the US to face trial. His lawyers have three months to appeal. (ANI)