Should Abu Hamza Keep His Prosthetic Hook?
The Muslim cleric Abu Hamza made his first court appearance in New York on Sunday.
He was extradited from the UK last week to face terrorism charges.
The US authorities confiscated his hook, despite his lawyer saying he needed it to “function in a civilised manner”.
Rob Hannion uses a similar prosthetic to Mr Hamza and told Radio 5 live‘s Stephen Nolan that he was shocked that he was not allowed to wear it.
Abu Hamza is charged with very serious crimes. However, I agree with Rob Hannion’s view. The ‘hook’ may look sharp and dangerous- maybe that is why it has been confiscated.
But it is being used as an ‘aid’ by a physically disabled person, a prosthetic. For Abu Hamza, it is as necessary as food and drink. Confiscating it was unnecessary, and just plain wrong.
It would be interesting to know whether prison authorities would have confiscated a prosthetic hand which looked more ‘normal.’
Same Difference 