28/05/2012

Delay In Cleric Deportation Decision

Attempts to deport a radical Muslim cleric will be delayed for at least four months while evidence is gathered.

Abu Qatada faces deportation to Jordan to stand trial for allegedly plotting bomb attacks.

But at a bail hearing, a court was told the earliest evidence will be ready by is September.

Robin Tam QC, for the home secretary, said they would like the case to proceed as quickly as possible.

Abu Qatada’s lawyers told the bail hearing that the time he would have to spend in prison waiting for a judgment breached his rights.

Justice Mitting, presiding, said the case had gone on "for an unconscionable period of time" and asked everyone involved to be ready for an appeal hearing on October 10.

A decision on Mr Qatada's deportation is due the following month.

Theresa May restarted deportation proceedings in April when she received assurances from Jordan that evidence obtained by torture would not be used against him.

Lawyers acting for Mr Qatada, 51, say there is "significant evidence" against such assurances.

The Home Office said Abu Qatada continues to pose a real risk to national security and it will continue to resist any bail application.

(NE)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 November 2012
Abu Qatada Wins Deportation Appeal
Abu Qatada, the radical Muslim cleric, has won his appeal at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) and will be released on bail shortly. His appeal was upheld after lawyers claimed he would not get a fair trial in Jordan, where he is accused of plotting bomb attacks.
14 June 2013
Qatada Deportation Saga Has Cost UK Over £1.7m
The UK has spent more than £1.7 million so far, in its efforts to remove radical cleric Abu Qatada. A letter from Theresa May to MPs has revealed that since 2005, the cost to the UK has been £1,716,306. Abu Qatada has been fighting against a deportation order to Jordan, where he faces retrial for bomb attacks.
10 May 2012
Qatada Loses Appeal Against Deportation
Judges at the European court of human rights have rejected an appeal by Abu Qatada against his extradition. Home Secretary Theresa May is now to make a fresh attempt to deport the cleric to Jordon. May said: "I am pleased by the European court's decision. The Qatada case will now go through the British courts.
26 February 2007
Radical cleric loses deportation appeal
Radical Muslim preacher Abu Qatada has lost his appeal against a Home Office move to deport him to Jordan. Qatada - also known as Omar Mahmoud Mohammed Othman - is suspected of being a high-ranking member of al Qaeda and is wanted in Jordan for involvement in a series of terror attacks. He was convicted of involvement in the attacks in his absence.
11 October 2012
UK Asked Jordan To Pardon Qatada Court Hears
It has emerged in court that the British government asked the Jordanian authorities to consider pardoning radical cleric Abu Qatada. However, Jordan said that would not be possible and he would have to stand trial there. Jordan also refused a UK request to ensure evidence from torture was not used against him, a judge heard.