ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images Mostafa Kamel MostafaThe Islamic preacher extradited from Britain on terrorism charges who is widely known for the hook he wore as a prosthetic device is expected to be fitted next week with new prostheses, a federal judge said on Friday.
The defendant, Mostafa Kamel Mostafa, 54, who lost the lower portions of both arms in explosions years ago, has appeared in Federal District Court in Manhattan with the bare stumps of his arms showing from beneath a short-sleeved jail shirt.
After Mr. Mostafa's last court appearance about two weeks ago, his lawyer, Jeremy Schneider, said that it was critical for his client to obtain the pr osthetic devices so that he could assist in his defense.
Mr. Mostafa, also known as Abu Hamza al-Masri, is being held in a high-security wing of the Metropolitan Correctional Center and has been allowed to wear the hook for eating and hygienic purposes. But the hook has been removed at other times, including during court appearances, presumably for security reasons.
In court on Friday, Mr. Schneider described his client as someone “who has an extraordinary knowledge and interest†in helping to prepare for his defense. After the proceeding ended, Mr. Schneider added, “I want him to help me and he wants to help.â€
The Egyptian-born Mr. Mostafa faces an August trial on charges he conspired in a 1998 kidnapping of tourists in Yemen and in an attempt to establish a terrorist training camp in Oregon. He has pleaded not-guilty.
The judge, Katherine B. Forrest, approved a request by Mr. Schneider to expand his legal team; joining will be Joshua L. Drat el, a lawyer with experience in terrorism cases. Mr. Schneider had said that he expected the case to require an extensive investigation that would include overseas travel and review of a large volume of discovery materials.
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