Cleric Hamza charged with urging followers to kill Jews

RADICAL Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri was yesterday charged with 16 offences by the British authorities, including encouraging the murder of Jews and other non-believers.

The charges mean that a US attempt to extradite him has been put on hold.

Abu Hamza, who lost an eye and both hands in Afghanistan fighting Soviet forces, is wanted by the US on 11 charges. A five-day extradition hearing had been due to start yesterday.