JURIST - Paper Chase: Terror suspect arrested in London; US seeks extradition

Police in the UK today arrested a radical Muslim cleric who is suspected of providing support and advice in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole. The US is seeking to extradite Abu Hamza al-Masri to try him on terrorism charges. The British government linked Abu Hamza to al-Qaida and the Islamic Army of Aden, which claimed responsibility for the USS Cole attack. The Egyptian-born cleric lived in the UK and preached at a London mosque. US Attorney General John Ashcroft is planning a press conference at 10 a.m. today on the arrest. AP has more.

UPDATE: WNBC-TV in New York City has more on the federal indictment that charges Abu Hamza with attempting to establish a terrorist training camp in Oregon. The Telegraph offers a transcript of Ashcroft's statements at the press conference earlier today.

UPDATE: UK legal experts say that the extradition of Abu Hamza could take several months to complete, CNN reports. The Times in London has a full list of the charges against Abu Hamza.

UPDATE: View the official indictment of Abu Hamza here [PDF].