Briton accused of al-Shabaab chemical plot Mahdi Hashi, who lived in Camden, appeared in a New York court this week accused of having been a member of an "elite al-Shabaab suicide bombing unit." Mr Hashi, a Somali-born 23-year-old, was stripped of his British citizenship in March by Theresa May, the Home Secretary, after being charged by the US with providing material support to terrorists. A court filing this week alleged that he and two associates, who had their telephones tapped by US spies, have "extensive weapons and combat training" and were plotting to attack American targets. They are also accused of having "substantial knowledge regarding an al-Shabaab research and development department that was developing chemical weapons for use by that terrorist organisation." Prosecutors allege that the three men are associates of al-Qaeda leaders in east Africa and were en route to Yemen to "join with" al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula when they were arrested last November. Mr Hashi faces life in prison if convicted. He denies all charges and has appealed against the removal of his British passport. He is on hunger strike in protest at the restrictions he faces while awaiting trial. Prisoners' rights campaigners say he is in poor health and is "close to liver failure."