3:59pm UK, Friday July 23, 2004

The extradition hearing against Abu Hamza has been adjourned because of the complexity of the case.  

The district judge will hold a week-long hearing from October 19 to hear both sides.

180 Sheikh Abu Hamza shades and hook hand

Abu Hamza

Hamza is wanted by the US, whose government has accused him of playing a key role in Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terror network.  

But Hamza, who was too ill to sit through the hearing, claims his rights have been infringed.  

His defence argued that, because George Bush has said his name is on a list of international terrorists, it will be impossible for him to have a fair hearing in the US.  

James Lewis QC, representing the US government, claimed Hamza was part of an international plan to wreak havoc on the West.  

Mr Lewis told Belmarsh Magistrates' Court: "He has consistently advocated hatred and violence against the United States of America, which he called the United Snakes of America."  

If he is extradited to America he could be jailed for up to 100 years for charges including conspiring to set up terrorist training camps in Oregon and Afghanistan.  

Outside court, Hamza's solicitor Muddassar Arani said: "The client would not have a fair trial due to the evidence that is being relied on by the US Government which was obtained by torture and at best plea bargaining."  

The former London-based Finsbury Park Mosque preacher has also been accused of playing a leading role in a hostage-taking incident in Yemen in 1998 in which four hostages - including three Britons - were killed.