Algerian man to fight US extradition order in High Court

on 05/03/2013 08:26:23

An Algerian man facing extradition to the United States on terrorism charges is due to make a second appearance at the High Court this morning.

Ali Charaf Damache has been living in Ireland for more than a decade and was arrested three years ago as part of an international probe into the 'Jihad Jane' plot to assassinate Swedish artist Lars Vilks who controversially depicted Muslim prophet Muhammad as a dog.

Ali Charaf Damache is facing prosecution in Pennsylvania on a conspiracy charge of providing material support to terrorists.

If extradited and successfully tried, he could be looking at up to 30 years in prison on a second charge of identity theft to facilitate an act of terrorism.

He has just finished serving three years in an Irish jail for sending a menacing phone message to an American attorney who had organised a protest against Islamic extremism.

The 47-year-old was released in Waterford last week, but was re-arrested outside the court house immediately on foot of this request by the US authorities.

He was remanded in custody ahead of today's second High Court appearance.