Perspective: Sheik Al-Faisal To Be Extradited, Judge Rules …
Muslim cleric Sheikh Abdullah Al- Faisal has been ordered extradited to the USA. His trial has been in our courts for sometime now and Al-Fiasal has been in custody ever since awaiting the decision of the court. There were concerns about the quality and integrity of the evidence presented by the Americans.
Appeal
The law allows for a fifteen days period for appeal. Bert Samuels, lawyer for Al-Faisal has given verbal notice of his intention to appeal. Allegations are that the already deported cleric from Britain to Jamaica has been accused allegedly by the Americans of recruiting persons for Syria for a Jihad. He was apparently caught in a sting operation by a law enforcement officer posing as a person who wished to be so recruited. The
Americans are known to do sting operations when they want the catch a certain targeted individual (s). You will recall the sting operation, this one drug related to nab Buju Banton.
The integrity of that operation is still being questioned today, years after Buju ‘s conviction. In fact if reports are correct he could be released from prison year end, and plans are afoot for him to perform at a concert either in Trinidad or Jamaica.
We await the appeal by Al-Faisal. We wish him well, but we are not holding our breaths.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie has a special interest in matters legal, is also Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper.
Zhane Squire is Vision Newspaper’s dedicated Reggae Entertainment Correspondent, bringing readers the latest stories from Jamaica and across the global Afro-Caribbean diaspora. With a passion for music, culture, and storytelling, Squire highlights the voices, movements, and trends shaping reggae, dancehall, and Afro-Caribbean entertainment worldwide. His reporting connects Caribbean culture to the global stage, ensuring that artists, festivals, and community stories are told with depth, accuracy, and authenticity. For feedback you can reach him at zhane.squire@visionnewspaper.ca
