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Abu Hamza trial: Defence claims radical worked for MI5 Abu Hamza trial: Defence claims radical worked for MI5
(35 minutes later)
Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza secretly worked for MI5, his lawyers have told his New York terror trial. Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri secretly worked for MI5, his lawyers have told his US terror trial.
The defence claimed that the Egyptian-born preacher, who was giving evidence for the first time in his trial, had been tasked to "keep the streets of London safe". The defence claimed the Egyptian-born preacher, who was giving evidence for the first time in his trial in New York, had been tasked to "keep the streets of London safe".
Abu Hamza denies 11 terrorism charges.Abu Hamza denies 11 terrorism charges.
He answered "never" when asked if he had assisted the kidnapping of western tourists in Yemen in 1998 and set up a jihadist training camp in Oregon.He answered "never" when asked if he had assisted the kidnapping of western tourists in Yemen in 1998 and set up a jihadist training camp in Oregon.
Abu Hamza was jailed in the UK for inciting murder and racial hatred with his sermons at a north London mosque, before being extradited to the US nearly two years ago.Abu Hamza was jailed in the UK for inciting murder and racial hatred with his sermons at a north London mosque, before being extradited to the US nearly two years ago.
He said he has never helped al-Qaeda or other militant groups.He said he has never helped al-Qaeda or other militant groups.
Earlier, the Manhattan federal court heard from a prosecution witness from New Zealand, who was among the 16 tourists taken hostage in Yemen.Earlier, the Manhattan federal court heard from a prosecution witness from New Zealand, who was among the 16 tourists taken hostage in Yemen.
Mary Quin told the court that Abu Hamza was involved in the kidnapping, in which four hostages were killed during a rescue attempt by the Yemeni military.Mary Quin told the court that Abu Hamza was involved in the kidnapping, in which four hostages were killed during a rescue attempt by the Yemeni military.
Abu Hamza's lawyer claimed the radical had merely acted as a mediator.Abu Hamza's lawyer claimed the radical had merely acted as a mediator.
Giving evidence, the defendant, who was born Mustafa Kamel Mustafa, told his life story.Giving evidence, the defendant, who was born Mustafa Kamel Mustafa, told his life story.
SandhurstSandhurst
He told the court how he started on the wrong side of morality, running a strip club in Soho, before becoming a devoted follower of Islam.He told the court how he started on the wrong side of morality, running a strip club in Soho, before becoming a devoted follower of Islam.
He said he had been a member of the Royal Society of Engineers and had also worked at Sandhurst.He said he had been a member of the Royal Society of Engineers and had also worked at Sandhurst.
He explained to the court that this was where Prince Harry and other royals trained.He explained to the court that this was where Prince Harry and other royals trained.
His lawyer told the judge, without the jury present, that Abu Hamza secretly worked for MI5 in London.His lawyer told the judge, without the jury present, that Abu Hamza secretly worked for MI5 in London.
The defence wants to introduce as evidence documents from Scotland Yard, which it claims demonstrate how the preacher co-operated with police to calm tensions and to help release hostages.The defence wants to introduce as evidence documents from Scotland Yard, which it claims demonstrate how the preacher co-operated with police to calm tensions and to help release hostages.
But the judge has ruled the evidence inadmissible.But the judge has ruled the evidence inadmissible.
Abu Hamza, who has already spent eight years in a British prison, faces life imprisonment in the US if found guilty of aiding terrorism.Abu Hamza, who has already spent eight years in a British prison, faces life imprisonment in the US if found guilty of aiding terrorism.
Meanwhile, the court heard how Ms Quin travelled to the Finsbury Park mosque where Abu Hamza once preached in London to confront him, and taped their hour-long conversation.Meanwhile, the court heard how Ms Quin travelled to the Finsbury Park mosque where Abu Hamza once preached in London to confront him, and taped their hour-long conversation.
During their meeting, which took place before Abu Hamza was extradited, the preacher justified the kidnapping and killing of civilians in the defence of Islam.During their meeting, which took place before Abu Hamza was extradited, the preacher justified the kidnapping and killing of civilians in the defence of Islam.
"Islamically, it's a good thing to do," he was heard saying in the recorded conversation."Islamically, it's a good thing to do," he was heard saying in the recorded conversation.
He was also taped confirming that he had spoken to Abu Hassan, the chief militant in Yemen, on the day of the kidnapping.He was also taped confirming that he had spoken to Abu Hassan, the chief militant in Yemen, on the day of the kidnapping.
But when asked by Ms Quin if he had provided the kidnappers with a satellite phone, he merely replied: "Yeah, perhaps."But when asked by Ms Quin if he had provided the kidnappers with a satellite phone, he merely replied: "Yeah, perhaps."
US prosecutors allege that the Muslim cleric provided a satellite phone and £500 worth of call time to help the kidnappers.US prosecutors allege that the Muslim cleric provided a satellite phone and £500 worth of call time to help the kidnappers.
He has pleaded not guilty.He has pleaded not guilty.