Spanish prosecutors backed the extradition of American philanthropist James Cox Fergie Chambers to the United States, four months after his arrest in Ibiza on an international warrant issued by the Trump administration, ara.cat reported.
Chambers, an heir to a wealthy family, stands accused in the United States of money laundering, rioting, and conspiracy to riot, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 30 years, according to es.ara.cat. The National Court scheduled his extradition hearing for Friday, November 13.
The National Court’s prosecution office argued that Washington’s request lacks any purpose of political persecution and rests on investigations into terrorism financing, ara.cat reported. The prosecutor’s filing states that Chambers participated in direct violence causing significant damage during a protest against Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems, and later wired funds from a Bank of America account to Tunisia to benefit Hamas, es.ara.cat reported.
Chambers’ support network rejected the accusations, denouncing an exclusively political persecution against a humanitarian worker, ara.cat reported. Supporters stated that Chambers wanted to route funds to athletic, business, and charitable ventures, including the sponsorship of Tunisia’s reigning football league champion, and had previously contributed over one million dollars to humanitarian projects in Gaza, es.ara.cat reported.
Under Spain’s passive extradition law, the National Court’s upcoming resolution remains non-binding, leaving the final decision with the government in Madrid, ara.cat reported. The law permits the Spanish government to reject extraditions based on public safety, essential state interests, or political offenses, es.ara.cat reported.
Left-wing political parties including Sumar, Podemos, and Bildu urged ministers Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Félix Bolaños to block the handover and grant asylum, ara.cat reported. The decision places the government in a delicate diplomatic position following its previous recognition of the Palestinian state.
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