By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

An international lawyers’ association urges Spain to protect Fergie Chambers, backing US activists refusing grand jury cooperation amid repression concerns.

Key Takeaways

• The International Association of Democratic Lawyers urged Spain to grant Fergie Chambers political asylum, reject his extradition and secure his release.
• Chambers has been detained since July 10, with an extradition hearing scheduled before Spain’s Audiencia Nacional on November 13.
• The association also backed Bridget Shergalis and Sophie Ross, who have announced their refusal to testify against fellow activists before a federal grand jury.

Spain Urged to Reject Extradition

The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) called Friday for Spain to grant political asylum to US activist and Palestine solidarity organizer James “Fergie” Chambers, warning that his extradition could expose him to political persecution.

Chambers has been detained in Spain since his arrest in Ibiza on July 10, 2026, under a US extradition request. His case is scheduled to be heard before the Audiencia Nacional, Spain’s high court, on November 13.

According to the association, Chambers maintains that his political views, financial support for Palestinian humanitarian projects and opposition to US and Israeli policies have made him a target of politically motivated persecution.

“Extradition proceedings cannot be permitted to become mechanisms for transnational political persecution,” the IADL said in its November 6 statement reviewed by The Palestine Chronicle.

Aitor Martínez, an attorney on the Spanish legal team for pro-Palestine philanthropist and activist Fergie Chambers, broke down the nature of Trump’s political persecution campaign against Chambers in an interview with journalist Irene Zugasti (@irezugasti) on Canal Red… pic.twitter.com/RUivT4Ce5Z

— VPol (@VocalPolitics1) November 6, 2026

The association said US authorities had submitted a criminal complaint to Spanish judicial authorities, rather than a formal federal grand jury indictment. It argued that this raised serious questions about the evidentiary and procedural basis for an extradition request that has already resulted in months of detention.

The IADL urged Spain to give Chambers’ asylum application full and fair consideration, reject the extradition request and end his detention through appropriate judicial measures.

It invoked international refugee protections, the principle of non-refoulement and protections for political expression and association in support of its appeal.

Support for Grand Jury Resisters

The statement also expressed solidarity with Bridget Shergalis and Sophie Ross, two Palestine solidarity activists subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury in an investigation the association described as apparently connected to Chambers’ case.

Shergalis and Ross are members of the Merrimack 4 and spent 60 days in jail following protests against Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems with Palestine Action US, according to the IADL.

Both have publicly announced that they will refuse to provide testimony against Chambers or other activists.

The association said their grand jury appearances, initially scheduled for October 21 and then November 4, had been postponed until later in November.

“Refusing to inform on fellow activists has a long history as an act of political conscience and collective solidarity in the face of state repression,” the statement said.

The IADL defended the right to challenge abusive subpoenas, invoke applicable constitutional protections and contest investigations used against political movements. It also opposed coercive detention or punishment intended to suppress political activity.

FREE FERGIE CHAMBERS! Fergie needs to be granted political asylum in Spain before a right-wing coalition could take power in the elections. pic.twitter.com/LdczcuMN2e

— Calla (@CallaWalsh) November 5, 2026

Warning over Criminalization of Solidarity

The association placed the cases within “an expanding (US) campaign of repression” against political dissent, particularly Palestine solidarity organizing and opposition to US foreign policy.

It pointed to criminal prosecutions, grand jury investigations, congressional subpoenas, financial sanctions and allegations of terrorism or foreign influence as instruments increasingly directed at activists and organizations.

The statement cited earlier grand jury investigations involving Palestinian academic Sami al-Arian and anti-war and international solidarity activists whose homes and offices were raided in 2010.

It also raised concerns about investigations involving Neville Roy Singham, prosecutions arising from the Prairieland Detention Center protests in Texas and the case known as the Michigan 8, which it said now includes twelve defendants.

The IADL further condemned US sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court, Palestinian human rights organizations and grassroots solidarity groups.

“The IADL condemns the use of anti-terrorism legislation, financial sanctions, expansive conspiracy allegations and coercive investigative mechanisms to suppress legitimate political activity, humanitarian solidarity and struggles for national liberation,” it said.

The association called on lawyers, bar associations, human rights organizations, trade unions and popular movements internationally to oppose the criminalization of Palestine solidarity and political dissent. Its statement is open for organizational endorsements.

(PA, IADL)