12/11/2012

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.

He will be released from Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire on Tuesday, and must observe a curfew.

The government has already said it would seek to appeal against the ruling.

His bail conditions include 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.

Before his bail was decided, Abu Qatada's lawyer Edward Fitzgerald QC had told the court: "There is no reasonable prospect of lawful removal [deportation] within any reasonable time.

"There is no justification for continuing to deprive Mr Othman of his liberty.

"Enough is enough, it has gone on for many many years now," the QC added.

A statement from the Home Office said: "We have obtained 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.

"Indeed, today's ruling found that 'the Jordanian judiciary, like their executive counterparts, are determined to ensure that the appellant will receive, and be seen to receive, a fair retrial'.

"We will therefore seek leave to appeal [Monday's] decision."

(H/GK)

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