Pressure builds in Spain to deny US extradition request for leftwing donor
Key government meeting this month will consider US bid to try James ‘Fergie’ Chambers over alleged support for Hamas
TL;DR
- James “Fergie” Chambers, a US citizen and donor, is imprisoned in Madrid and faces extradition to the US.
- Chambers' defense argues the US charges are an attempt to criminalize political protest and that a charge of 'conspiracy to commit riot' has no equivalent in Spanish law.
- The US alleges Chambers laundered $7.5m to support the Palestinian group Hamas.
- Chambers' team asserts he has been supporting humanitarian aid and that his wealth was obtained legally.
- Spanish political groups, including Sumar and Podemos, are opposing the extradition, stating it could criminalize humanitarian aid and support for the Palestinian people.
- Activists and public figures, including Richard Gere and Greta Thunberg, have signed a petition urging Spain to deny the extradition.
- Chambers' recent large financial settlement and his public criticisms of US foreign policy and Israel are noted.
- A Spanish council of ministers will meet on September 22 to decide on the extradition request.