Just when it seemed like Babar Ahmad had exhausted all his options to avoid extradition to the United States on terrorism charges, a new twist has emerged. Yesterday, a wealthy tycoon from Newcastle, Karl Watkin, said he would bring a private prosecution against Ahmad.
In theory, anyone can bring a private prosecution if they can demonstrate it is in public interest to do so. Individuals bringing such actions act in cases where they believe the Crown Prosecution Service has failed in its duty to initiate criminal proceedings.
Ahmad has been held in custody since August 2004 after the United States requested his extradition on terrorism charges relating to a website he operated called Azzam.com. Although the site was run from London, it was hosted in Texas which prompted the Americans to initiate criminal proceedings against him.
Watkin has said he is bringing the prosecution to protest Britain’s extradition treaty with the United States which many campaigners believe is lopsided and weighted against British citizens.
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