World · Europe · 8 hrs ago
Spanish prosecutor backs US request to extradite James Cox Chambers
A Spanish prosecutor has backed the US request to extradite James Cox Chambers, a wealthy US activist who has been held in Spain since his arrest in Ibiza in July.
US authorities accuse him of money laundering, rioting and conspiracy to riot, including allegedly sending $7.5 million to Tunisia to support Hamas.
Chambers denies wrongdoing and says the money went to support a Tunisian football club and a gym.
The riot allegations relate to a 2023 protest against Israeli defence company Elbit Systems in New Hampshire, where Chambers says he was present but caused no damage.
His lawyers say the case is politically motivated and argue the alleged protest damage does not meet the extradition treaty’s threshold.
Spain’s High Court is expected to rule in the coming weeks, and the cabinet will make the final decision; Chambers has also applied for asylum in Spain.
The case matters because Spain’s rules block extradition if a request is found to be politically motivated, amid wider tensions between Madrid and Washington over Spain’s pro-Palestinian stance.
A Spanish prosecutor has supported a US request to extradite activist James “Fergie” Chambers, who denies wrongdoing.
The Spanish National Court heard arguments over the request and is expected to rule in the coming weeks.
US authorities accuse Chambers of money laundering and of riot-related offences linked to a 2023 protest at an Israeli arms company.
The alleged money laundering concerns a transfer of $7.5 million to Tunisia, which Chambers says was for a football club and a gym.
Chambers has applied for asylum in Spain, claiming political persecution; he cannot be extradited until that claim is resolved.
- Who
- James “Fergie” Chambers, a US activist and media heir, is facing a US extradition request.
- What
- A Spanish court is considering whether he should be extradited to the United States. A prosecutor supports the request, while Chambers denies wrongdoing.
- When
- The court heard arguments in November 2026. Chambers was arrested on July 10, according to the Times of Israel.
- Where
- The hearing took place at Spain’s National Court in Madrid; Chambers was arrested in Ibiza.
- Why
- US authorities accuse Chambers of money laundering and riot-related offences. He says the allegations are politically motivated and that the money was for legitimate purposes.
US prosecutors
Chambers’s defence
Basis for extradition
US prosecutors
The allegations concern an organized, financed action that caused significant material damage, prosecutor Juan Hernández Villalba told the court.
Chambers’s defence
Chambers denies wrongdoing and says the case is politically motivated; his lawyers argue that translations in the US request made allegations appear more serious.
Alleged protest role
US prosecutors
Prosecutors say Chambers participated in and helped finance actions against Elbit Systems.
Chambers’s defence
Chambers says he joined protests but caused no damage; his defence disputes the prosecution’s account of his role.
Alleged transfer
US prosecutors
US authorities allege that $7.5 million sent to Tunisia was used to support Hamas.
Chambers’s defence
Chambers says he transferred his own money to support a Tunisian football club and a gym.
Chambers was arrested in Ibiza at the request of US authorities, according to the Times of Israel.
Al Jazeera reported that Spain’s National Court would hear evidence from US authorities on Thursday.
El País reported that Chambers spoke at the extradition hearing on Friday; the Times of Israel also described the hearing as taking place on Friday.
The Spanish High Court is expected to rule on the extradition request, according to the Times of Israel.
- US extradition request
- Charges listed include riot, conspiracy to commit riot and international money laundering
- Alleged transfer
- $7.5 million sent to a Tunisian bank account, according to the US allegations reported by the Times of Israel
- Arrest
- July 10, in Ibiza
- Court
- Spain’s National Court, Madrid
- Possible sentence
- Up to 30 years for the riot-related charges, according to Al Jazeera
- Final decision
- Spain’s cabinet will make the final determination, according to the Times of Israel
4 sources
Spanish prosecutor favors extraditing US media heir for alleged Hamas donations
Spanish prosecutor favours extraditing pro-Palestinian US Cox Enterprises heir
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What people are saying
The extradition request is not based on mere ideology or political statements, but on an organized, financed and executed action that caused significant material damage and the evaluation of which corresponds to the competent US court
To this day I cannot understand why I have been in prison since July … All I’m asking for is justice, reason, and mercy.
I am pleading with [Spanish Prime Minister Pedro] Sanchez to use his powers to ensure Fergie’s political asylum claim is expedited for urgent consideration by the panel of ministers.
Trump obligó a los fiscales federales a que abrieran causas contra todos los opositores, a lo que denomina izquierda radical