[JURIST] The trial of radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri [BBC profile], charged under the UK Terrorism Act 2000 [text] for inciting racial hatred, began in London on Monday. Hamza was arrested last May on a US extradition warrant, and was later charged in the UK on 16 counts, including urging his followers to kill non-Muslims and possessing threatening, abusive or insulting sound recordings. Hamza's UK trial has put on hold efforts to extradite him to the US, where he faces charges [PDF indictment] relating to his involvement in the 2000 USS Cole bombing. The trial is expected to last three weeks, with the prosecution outlining its case on Wednesday. If convicted, Abu Hamza faces life in prison. Reuters has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase...

• BREAKING NEWS ~ UK court charges Abu Hamza on 16 counts
• BREAKING NEWS ~ Cleric Abu Hamza to face charges in UK under anti-terror laws
• Radical cleric sought to be extradited by US may be charged in UK
• Abu Hamza arrested in UK under Terrorism Act
• Terror suspect arrested in London; US seeks extradition