London - A prominent militant Islamic activist, Sheikh Abu Hamza al-Masri, was arrested yesterday under Britain's Prevention of Terrorism Act, a spokesman for Sheikh Hamza's London-based Supporters of Sharia organisation said.
The Egyptian-born Sheikh Hamza, who has a distinctive metal claw replacing one of his hands, has been vocal in encouraging Muslims worldwide to fight for a more Islamic way of life. He is reported to have close links with Middle East activists. His son and stepson were arrested late last year in Yemen in connection with hostage-taking and bomb-plot charges.