Spain's Council of Ministers agreed on September 22, 2026, to let the United States' extradition request for James "Fergie" Chambers advance to the Audiencia Nacional, Spain's National Court. Chambers remains imprisoned in Madrid while the proceedings continue.
The cabinet decision opens the judicial stage of the case. It does not authorize his immediate transfer to the United States. Government spokesperson Elma Saiz said a definitive decision would follow consideration of the court's resolution, according to Europa Press.
Chambers, an American activist and donor to Palestinian causes, was arrested in Ibiza on July 10. U.S. authorities accuse him of money laundering, rioting and conspiracy to riot in a case involving pro-Palestinian demonstrations in 2023 and transfers to a company in Tunisia, The National reported. He denies wrongdoing.
His defense team, led by Baltasar Garzón, rejects allegations that the money funded Hamas and says Chambers supported humanitarian and social projects, including aid in Gaza. Lawyers and political supporters argue that the request amounts to political persecution over his activism.
Sumar, a partner in Spain's governing coalition, urged the government to stop the extradition. Podemos and the Galician Nationalist Bloc also opposed it. Their objections center on whether Chambers is being targeted for his support for Palestine, Europa Press reported.
The next stage places the request before the Audiencia Nacional for judicial examination. The government's announcement leaves the ultimate outcome unresolved: permission to continue proceedings is neither a finding of guilt nor a completed extradition.
Read more about Chambers and his detention in the coalition's Fergie Chambers database profile.
