Fergie Chambers faces Spanish court fight over US extradition request

The Spanish government has come under fire for allowing the extradition case of prominent American activist and Gaza humanitarian donor Fergie Chambers to proceed to the country’s courts, after declining to block the US request at the preliminary stage. Government spokesperson Elma Saiz described Tuesday’s decision as “purely procedural” and said the government had conducted only a formal examination of the request. Chambers’ lawyers will now contest the extradition before Spain’s Audiencia Nacional, after which the government will take a final decision. Baltasar Garzon, lead counsel for Chambers, said the decision “sets a dangerous precedent regarding the defence of the Palestinian cause”. Garzon, the former Spanish judge who pursued Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet under the principle of universal jurisdiction, added: “Spain cannot defend international law, the rights of the Palestinian people and the protection of those who provide humanitarian aid while at the same time allowing a request to proceed with an extradition that shows clear signs of political persecution by the US Government.” Read more: Fergie Chambers faces Spanish court fight over US extradition request Fergie Chambers has remained imprisoned since his arrest in Ibiza in July (Supplied)