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Birmingham terror suspect denied bail ahead of extradition hearing

An alleged member of an Islamic State terror group accused of plotting attacks throughout Europe has been denied bail ahead of an extradition hearing.

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Awat Hamasalih, who lives in Birmingham, is said to be a key cog in Rawti Shax – a 'trans-national, radical and fundamentalist group' whose aim is to carry out violent acts in the West. He is wanted in Italy so he can stand trial.

The 38-year-old, an Iraqi who now has British citizenship and lives in Birmingham, was arrested alongside two other men – Bakr Hamad, 38, from Kingston-upon-Hull, and Zana Rahim, 32, from Derby – in November as part of co-ordinated raids across Europe.

Arguing for him to be bailed at a hearing at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday, his lawyer, Kate O'Raghallaigh, said he was yet to be charged in Italy.

She said: "Letters from the public prosecutor in Trento explain in explicit terms that this case remains at, and has not left, the investigation stage.

"There have been no charges laid against Mr H or his co-defendants, and there has been no committal for trial, but a request of intent for committal for trial if and when extradition takes place." Hamasalih fled to the UK in 2002 after his father's death under Saddam Hussein's regime and was granted asylum in 2007, gaining British citizenship the following year.

Prosecutor Daniel Sternberg argued there was a 'substantial risk' he would flee if granted bail.

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