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”.