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Italian court hears British extradition request | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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ROME (Reuters) – An Italian court began hearing on Wednesday a British request for the extradition of one of the suspected bombers in the July 21 attack on London”s transport network.

The hearing was held behind closed doors and the court was expected to make its decision later in the day.

Ethiopian-born Hamdi Issac, also known as Osman Hussein, was seized in Rome a week after the July 21 attacks, which killed no one but brought chaos to London transport.

He has admitted to taking part in the strike, but has insisted the action was only meant to scare not to hurt. The attacks came exactly two weeks after suicide bombers killed more than 50 people on London”s underground and bus network.

None of the bombs used in the July 21 attack exploded.

Italy is not expected to oppose Britain”s bid to extradite Issac but might ask the court to grant only a temporary handover. Such a move would allow British police to question Issac at length and then return him to Italy to face possible terrorism-related charges here.

Issac is expected to appeal any extradition order.