U.S. Can Extradite Hamas Leader to Israel, Judge Rules

NEW YORK —  A Hamas leader accused of funding and ordering terrorist attacks in Israel can be extradited to that country, a judge ruled Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Kevin Duffy said Israel had established probable cause that Mousa Abu Marzuk knew of Hamas’ plan to carry out the attacks, chose the leaders and supplied the money.

Abu Marzuk’s lawyer, Stanley Cohen, said he would appeal the decision, delaying any extradition.

Abu Marzuk, 46, is a top leader of the militant Islamic group that opposes the peace accord between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. He was detained reentering the United States last summer when Immigration and Naturalization Service inspectors realized his name had recently been added to a list of suspected terrorists.

He had sought to prove that he was being prosecuted for actions of the Hamas military wing even though he has led only the political wing.

But Israel contended that Abu Marzuk ordered lethal attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers and sent money to the West Bank and Gaza Strip to buy weapons used in attacks.

Since last February, Hamas has claimed responsibility for four suicide bombings in Israel beginning in late February that killed more than 60 people. Abu Marzuk has been accused in Israel of murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and other charges.

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In some 1997 stories, and stories from 2001 onward, Mousa abu Marzuk is referred to as Mousa abu Marzook.

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