Hungry Hippo Hamza’s list of prison demands
OVERWEIGHT preacher of hate Abu Hamza has given prison officials a list of demands after telling his lawyer: “I’m starving in here.”
Hamza, 49, who weighs about 20 stone, has told jail chiefs he wants more and better food, extra phone time and an end to constant strip searches. [>
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The former imam of Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, who is fighting extradition to the US, also objects to squatting during searches as it contravenes Islamic law. [>
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Hamza, who has hooks after losing both hands, is serving seven years at Belmarsh prison in south London for soliciting the murder of non-Muslims and inciting racial hatred. [>
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A dossier of complaints compiled by his solicitors states: “He receives insufficient food which appears to be out-of-date and does not meet his dietary requirements. [>
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“He has been left in a room without adequate facilities to meet the needs of a disabled person. This included no heads on taps so he did not have access to cold water and didn’t have his diabetic pack.” [>
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His team at Arani Solicitors claims Hamza was strip searched 13 times in one day, making him feel “degraded”. [>
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The statement reads: “On one occasion, Shaykh Abu Hamza was strip searched 13 times during the period 8am to 5pm in one day alone. [>
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“Many Muslims will be aware that strip searches and other degrading practices, such as squatting, are against Islam.” [>
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Hamza also complained to his lawyers that he does not have enough phone credit – making it impossible for him to prepare his legal defence. [>
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The statement says: “His telephone credit was also confiscated, denying him the right to prepare for his court hearing adequately.” [>
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Inmates of the category A jail, which houses some of Britain’s most dangerous prisoners, have branded Hamza the “Hungry Hippo” because of his vast bulk. A prison insider said: “It was a label which instantly stuck – he’s a big man and everyone knows him for wearing that grey outfit. When word got round that he was moaning about being hungry, it seemed an obvious title.” [>
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Hamza, who lost both hands and an eye in a mine explosion in Afghanistan, faces life in a maximum security jail in the US. He is wanted there on 11 charges including playing a key role in a kidnap plot that ended in four deaths. [>
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Hamza is also accused of attempting to set up an Al Qaeda training camp in Bly, Oregon, and being part of a global conspiracy to wage jihad on the West. District judge Tim Workman recommended his extradition in November. [>
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Earlier this month, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith rubber-stamped the ruling. [>
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But Egyptian-born Hamza has lodged one last appeal to Ms Smith – further delaying his move to the US. [>