Jailed Muslim Cleric 'Unrepentant All-Purpose Terrorist': US Officials

NEW YORK, JANUARY 9 (Sputnik) – A notorious Egyptian Islamic cleric was branded an "unrepentant all-purpose terrorist" on Friday after he received a life sentence for helping extremist groups kidnap tourists in Yemen and for planning to create a terror training camp in Oregon.

"Abu Hamza is an unrepentant all-purpose terrorist. With today's sentence, he is being held accountable for the many ways in which he supported terrorism and other terrorists through much of his life, including his role in a hostage-taking in Yemen," assistant Attorney-General John Carlin said.

According to Carlin, the case was charged over ten years ago and was tried after years of extradition proceedings. It is "but one example of our resolve to pursue those who threaten the United States and our interests anywhere in the world, no matter how long it takes," Carlin added.

Abu Hamza, 56, used the name Mustafa Kamel Mustafa during his four-week jury trial in New York. Mustafa was found guilty in May last year of 11 charges relating to the Yemeni hostages, the Oregon training camp and for recruiting an al-Qaeda fighter.

His trial at Manhattan federal courthouse ended a 10-year battle for his extradition from the UK to face charges in the US. His fiery sermons and trademark hook contraption for a handless arm earned him a reputation as one of Britain"s most prominent radical Islamic voices.