08/31/2002

Associated Press

DENVER - A Virginia federal judge has cleared the way for American Muslim James Ujaama to be transferred to Seattle to face charges he attempted to set up a terrorist training camp, The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News reported Saturday.

In his first public hearing Friday since being arrested in Denver last month, Ujaama complained through his attorney that a guard called him "bin Laden's boy." After the hearing, defense attorney Greg Stambaugh read a statement where Ujaama called prosecutors "criminals posing as statesmen."

On Wednesday, a grand jury in Seattle indicted Ujaama and named London Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri as one of three unindicted co-conspirators for allegedly trying establish a terror training camp on a ranch in remote Bly, Ore. Ujaama, who moved to London in 1996 and operated the Web site in Al-Masri's mosque, has denied involvement in terrorist activity.

KING James Ujaama is accused of trying to set up a terrorist training camp in Oregon.

Magistrate Judge Barry Poretz had to warn Ujaama to speak through his attorney when he responded to a prosecutor who questioned whether the name-calling happened.

"His client has repeatedly lied to the public before to manipulate the public," Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Kromberg said. "It's not beyond the realm of possibility he's lying again to manipulate the public."

Speaking loudly to Stambaugh, Ujaama said: "These guys have lied—they've always lied. For them to refer to me as a liar when they've leaked material to the press ...."

He then remained quiet for the rest of the hearing.

"Clearly, everybody is entitled to respect in this court," Poretz said.

Ujaama had been held without a hearing and in secret and without any charges being filed as part of the government's terrorism investigation. The government said he was a witness in a grand jury investigation, which are secret.

Outside the courtroom, Stambaugh read a brief statement in which the 36-year-old Denver native repeated his criticism of prosecutors: "They literally kidnapped me using a material-witness warrant. This is further proof of what I've been saying all along: They are criminals posing as statesmen."