Wealthy US activist James “Fergie” Chambers appeared before Spain’s high court on Friday as judges weighed an extradition request tying him to alleged Hamas support and pro-Palestinian protests.
The two-hour session highlighted a stark division between defense arguments detailing legal irregularities and a prosecutor demanding extradition, The Guardian reported.
The three-judge panel will rule on the case in the coming weeks, a ruling that could reach Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s cabinet ahead of November 29 national elections, according to The Times of Israel.
“To this day I cannot understand why I have been in prison since July for what amounts to speaking emotionally and committing minor offenses of public disturbance,” Chambers told the court.
Defense Details Protests and Fund Transfers
Chambers’s defense team spent the majority of the hearing challenging the US extradition request and detailing procedures around a fortune gained from selling Cox Enterprises stock.
The US Department of Justice is seeking Chambers over late-2023 protests against Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, alongside $7.2m in bank transfers sent to Tunisia in 2024, inkl reported.
Defense attorney Aitor Martínez questioned the validity of the charges, noting that individuals involved in the New Hampshire protest faced misdemeanor convictions with short sentences falling below standard extradition thresholds.
Financial expert Albert Deulofeu Schilt testified that bank transfers from the US to Tunisia primarily financed Club Africain, a major African football club, and a local sporting business.
“Is there any indication that the money went to support terrorist activities?” Martínez asked.
“None,” Deulofeu Schilt said.
Prosecutor Urges Approval Over Terror Links
Prosecutor Juan Hernández Villalba spent roughly 15 minutes in a rapid-fire presentation outlining a very different picture of the activist.
Hernández Villalba accused the defense of presenting facts in a fragmented way, arguing that the US petition relies on coordinated actions rather than political statements or ideology.
The prosecutor asserted that the actions against Elbit were planned over multiple days with objectively violent content, creating more than enough indications that funding was aimed at terrorism.
“The extradition petition isn't based on ideology or political statements, but on actions [Chambers] organized, financed and carried out, causing material damage,” prosecutor Juan Hernández Villalba asserted.
Questions About Political Motives
Irish filmmaker Sinéad O’Shea, whose documentary All About the Money premieres this weekend, followed the proceedings remotely while monitoring the FBI affidavit underpinning the case.
O’Shea told The Guardian that the extradition case builds a false narrative starting from a minor protest, noting that charity donations and football club investments are a matter of public record.
“It is impossible not to see this as a politically motivated case,” O’Shea said.
Chambers founded a philanthropic organization after divesting from his family’s media business, funding roughly 100 humanitarian and progressive projects across 20 countries, according to his partner Stella Schnabel.
Grants included medical treatment for children and clean water access in Gaza, initiatives Chambers described as addressing the prevailing moral question of the time, Middle East Eye reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific charges does the US bring against James Chambers?
The US extradition request includes charges related to riots and conspiracy stemming from 2023 protests against Elbit Systems in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, alongside allegations of international money laundering tied to funds sent to Tunisia.
What role does the Spanish government play after the court ruling?
If Spain’s High Court approves the extradition, the decision moves to the council of ministers under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who holds the authority to reverse the ruling before national elections.
How much money did Chambers receive from Cox Enterprises?
Chambers received approximately $250 million in mid-2023 after selling stock back to his family’s Atlanta-based business, Cox Enterprises, according to court statements.
Where was Chambers living when the financial transfers occurred?
Chambers resided in Tunis, Tunisia, where he noted his home sat adjacent to the property of the United States ambassador.
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