Key facts
- James "Fergie" Chambers, a US citizen and wealthy donor, is imprisoned in Madrid and faces a US extradition request.
- The US alleges Chambers laundered $7.5 million to support Hamas.
- Chambers' defense argues the US has not identified specific acts of violence and that a key charge, "conspiracy to commit riot," lacks a Spanish legal equivalent.
- Spain's council of ministers will decide whether to grant the extradition request on September 22.
- Supporters, including actors and politicians, are advocating for Spain to deny the extradition, citing humanitarian aid and political opinion.
- This is reportedly the first known case of the US seeking to extradite a citizen over alleged support for Hamas.
Spain's government is facing mounting pressure to deny a US extradition request for James "Fergie" Chambers, a wealthy American donor accused of laundering money to support the Palestinian group Hamas. Chambers, who lives in Spain, was detained on July 10 and faces charges that his legal team argues are politically motivated and lack legal basis under Spanish law.
Chambers' attorneys have submitted a brief to Spain's council of ministers, which is scheduled to decide on the extradition on September 22. The brief contends that the US government has failed to identify specific acts of violence or damages attributable to Chambers, instead seeking to criminalize political protest. Furthermore, they argue that a key US charge, "conspiracy to commit riot," has no equivalent in Spanish law, which could invalidate the extradition.
The US government's case centers on allegations that Chambers laundered $7.5 million several years ago from a US bank account to Tunisia, where he resided at the time, to fund Hamas. Chambers' defense asserts that his wealth, inherited from his family, owners of Cox Communications, was obtained legally and that his donations, totaling approximately $250 million from a recent stock sale, have supported humanitarian aid and projects in about 100 initiatives across 20 countries, including the Sameer Project in Gaza.
Human rights lawyer Baltasar Garzón, part of Chambers' legal team, stated that financing humanitarian aid and supporting people in need does not constitute terrorism under Spanish and European legal standards. He warned that allowing the US to criminalize aid to Palestinians would set an alarming precedent in Europe.
Chambers' partner, actor and activist Stella Schnabel, has been actively lobbying Spanish politicians. She met with members of Sumar and Podemos, progressive parties crucial to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's coalition government, and has written to Sánchez urging him to deny the extradition. Ione Bellara, leader of Podemos, and Sumar have publicly voiced opposition, with Sumar filing a statement in Spain's congress arguing the request aims to criminalize Chambers due to his political opinions and support for the Palestinian people.
Activists have organized rallies in multiple Spanish cities, and a petition signed by international figures like Richard Gere, Greta Thunberg, and Angela Davis has been delivered to the Spanish government. Support has also come from abroad, including from the Club Africain football team in Tunisia, which Chambers' funds reportedly supported.