Babar Ahmad’s threatened extradition to the United States is ‘an afront to law’ said angry demonstrators outside the Bow Street magistrates’ court on Tuesday.

Babar Ahmad, a 31-year-old graduate from Tooting, south London, had no right to defend himself in court on Tuesday, under the Extradition Act 2004, brought in by former Home Secretary Blunkett.

The USA demanded his extradition, did not have to present a ‘prima facie case’, and Bow Street judge Timothy Workman ruled that ‘none of the statutory bars apply’ to refusing his extradition.

He said that it is now up to Home Secretary Charles Clarke to decide, within six weeks, if Babar Ahmad should be extradited as the US wants.

Babar Ahmad would then have 14 days to appeal to the High Court.

Samie Khan, a 19-year-old law student, told News Line: ‘The Extradition Act of 2004 is an affront to law. They don’t need evidence. It’s a breach of human rights. It’s disgraceful. It’s disgusting. This fight will definitely go on, not just for Babar but for everyone.

‘The more people become aware of it the deeper the issues get. This Blair government is corrupt, following Bush with no mind of its own and no concern for its own people.’

Dr Adnan Siddiqui, spokesman for Stop Political Terror, said: ‘Any person who has been in court knows it’s a political decision, not related in any way to the justice of the case.

‘Babar Ahmad was arrested in December 2003 under anti-terror laws and assaulted by the police,’ Dr Siddiqui alleged.

‘He was released without charge after a week of intensive questioning by the police and security services.

‘On the assault question, after an IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) investigation the police were let off.

‘In August 2004 Babar was re-arrested based on the US extradition warrant and has been in Waterhill Prison since then.

‘He has been accused of running websites supporting Chechen fighters and the Taleban in Afghanistan and of having e-mail contact with someone in the US naval fleet in the Persian Gulf who seems to have conveniently disappeared.

‘He denies all of this and says it’s ridiculous. For instance, at the time he was supposed to be having this e-mail contact he was on his honeymoon.
‘We are particularly concerned because we don’t think any Muslim who is accused of terrorism can expect a fair trial in the US.

‘A classic example is the former singer Cat Stevens who was turned away from the US because he is on a terror list.

‘Also, what is happening in Guantanamo Bay shows the lawlessness of the US in the “war on terror”.’

Youth and students on the demonstration were particularly angry. 22-year-old Saima Qureshi said: ‘This case affects all young Britons. If it’s Babar today it could be anyone tomorrow. He’s committed no crime.’

Maryam, 25, said: ‘All the charges against Babar in Britain have been dropped and yet he is threatened with extradition to face who knows what? – torture and a possible death sentence.

‘He’s a family man and everyone who knows him loves him. He’s got such a good heart. No-one has a single bad word to say against him.’

Saima, 22, said: ‘This is becoming a police state. You can’t even wear a hood.’

Zakeyya, 24, said: ‘Where is it going to stop? Today they are targeting those who speak out, but Babar was only speaking out for people who are being oppressed.

‘On the one hand the US and their allies provide finance for dictators and known torturers like Islam Karamov, president of Uzbekistan, while on the other they persecute those who speak out against tyranny.’

Ahmed Abdulla was holding three descriptive placards. He said: ‘I’m for justice, which has been dealt a great blow here today.

‘We are not in some backward country here, some third world country. We are in Great Britain, where things are meant to be done properly.

‘If a British citizen has done wrong he should face charges and be tried in his own country. But this is an afront.

‘Blair is in Bush’s pocket. Workers should come out to defend justice. Without justice there is no life.

Ellen Whelan was with her two young sons Zakariyyah Ibn Qasim, aged seven and Sumi, aged six, holding placards saying Release Uncle Babar.

Zakariyyah showed a statement he had written: ‘No death penalty for Babar, he hasn’t even been to America. No Guantanamo. Free Him Today.’

Ellen, an Ahmad family friend, alleged: ‘Babar’s sister’s house was raided. They showed no warrant. They said they had permission from the USA.

‘We are absolutely shocked and appalled at what’s going on. They can concoct any evidence. One piece of their so-called evidence is a brochure of the Empire State Building they found from when Babar’s dad went to the US in the late 60s and early 70s.

‘Then all over the US newspapers was the headline “Plot to Blow Up the Empire State Building” and their evidence was a 30-year-old pamphlet. His dad still has the visa for the trip in his passport.

‘Babar is a totally innocent man. I fear for his safety. It is absolutely shocking that there is no forum to defend him.’

Babar’s father, Ashfaq Ahmad said: ‘I am disappointed but we are prepared to go to the High Court. There is no way we are going to see Babar extradited. This is not fair. We know what treatments minorities get in America. They have no human rights.

‘He will be put in solitary confinement. The Americans have killed hundreds of thousands in Iraq, how can we trust them?’

Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: ‘The US can now simply order that British citizens be plucked from our streets and put into US jails by making serious – and wholly unproven – allegations against them.

‘If our government has any evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Babar Ahmad then he should be charged in this country and put on trial here.’

Massoud Shadjareh, Chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said: ‘All of us British citizens are now second class citizens in comparison with the Americans.

‘The US can now extradite anyone without any proof of guilt. We cannot allow this behaviour and treatment. It’s totally outrageous. We will now take this fight onto the next stage.’