Legal representatives for James Chambers, a wealthy donor detained in Spain, have filed a motion with Spain’s National Court alleging that the U.S. Department of Justice deliberately altered translations of documents supporting an extradition request. The defense team contends that the English-to-Spanish translations contain materially different language intended to portray alleged conduct in a more serious light than the original documents warrant.
Specific examples cited in the 21-page filing include the translation of “direct action events” as “acts of direct violence” and the rendering of three arrested activists as “three fires,” a term absent from the original English complaint. Additionally, the term “trespassing” was translated as “allanamiento de morada,” which can mean burglary or breaking and entering, and “set off smoke canisters” became “detonated” smoke canisters, suggesting explosives use. Chambers’ legal team argues these alterations were made in “bad faith” to mislead Spanish authorities evaluating the extradition request. An extradition hearing is scheduled for 13 November.
Chambers faces charges related to allegations that he funded legal fees for activists arrested during late-2023 protests against Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems. His case is reportedly the first known instance of the U.S. seeking to extradite a citizen based on alleged support for Hamas, apparently connected to money laundering charges and his donations to Palestinian causes. The federal government is proceeding with an extradition request based on a sealed complaint supported by a single FBI agent’s affidavit, with no grand jury indictment filed.
Chambers has applied for political asylum in Spain, which would prevent extradition. Under Spanish law, he cannot be extradited until his asylum petition is resolved. A Department of Justice spokesperson declined to comment on the translation allegations. Following the hearing, the Spanish court will have three days to render a decision, after which Spain’s council of ministers may weigh in. The decision may occur before national elections scheduled for 29 November under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
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