Muslim Cleric Abu Qatada Not To Be Deported To Jordan

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Muslim cleric Abu Qatada will be released on bail on Tuesday, Nov 13, having won his appeal at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac), BBC News reported.

His appeal against deportation was upheld after lawyers claimed he would not get a fair trial in Jordan, where he is accused of plotting bomb attacks. He will be subject to strict conditions including a curfew when he leaves Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire.

The home secretary has branded the ruling “deeply unsatisfactory”.

Theresa May told the Commons that the government “has been doing everything it can to get rid of Abu Qatada and we will continue to do so”.

She added: “Qatada is a dangerous man, a suspected terrorist, who is accused of serious crimes in his home country of Jordan. The British government has obtained from the Jordanian government assurances, not just in relation to the treatment of Qatada himself, but about the quality of the legal processes that would be followed throughout his trial. We will therefore seek leave to appeal today’s decision”.

May went on to say that the government would continue “to pursue all avenues” with the Jordanian government. They have assured British authorities that no evidence gained through torture would be used against the preacher.

Abu Qatada, whose real name is Omar Othman, is subject to bail conditions including being allowed out of his house only between 08:00 and 16:00, having to wear an electronic tag, and being restricted in who he meets.

However, the judge did not force him to tell the Home Office in advance where he was going if he stepped outside.

Abu Qatada faces a re-trial for allegedly conspiring to cause explosions on Western and Israeli targets in 1998 and 1999. He was found guilty of terrorism offences in his absence in Jordan in 1999.

The Palestinian-born Jordanian has been described as the spiritual leader of the mujahideen. Security chiefs believe he played a key ideological role in spreading support for suicide bombings. He has been subject to lengthy periods of detention since 2001 although he has never been charged with a crime in the UK.

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