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Man 'linked to Bin Laden' freed | Man 'linked to Bin Laden' freed |
(40 minutes later) | |
A terror suspect said to have "direct links" with Osama Bin Laden has been freed on bail, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) has said. | A terror suspect said to have "direct links" with Osama Bin Laden has been freed on bail, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) has said. |
The Algerian, who can be identified only as "U", has been released from Long Lartin high-security prison, in Worcestershire. | The Algerian, who can be identified only as "U", has been released from Long Lartin high-security prison, in Worcestershire. |
He had spent more than seven years in jail awaiting deportation. | He had spent more than seven years in jail awaiting deportation. |
It comes two weeks after Abu Qatada, described as Bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, was freed on bail. | It comes two weeks after Abu Qatada, described as Bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, was freed on bail. |
'Threat posed' | 'Threat posed' |
The release of "U" comes after he won a judgement in the Court of Appeal overturning Siac's ruling that he could be deported to Algeria. | |
His lawyers have now successfully argued that following the appeal court ruling it is wrong to keep him in custody. | |
A Siac spokeswoman said: "As of today I can confirm he ["U"] has been released." | A Siac spokeswoman said: "As of today I can confirm he ["U"] has been released." |
The Home Office said it had sought the strictest bail conditions possible for "U" while deportation proceedings against him continued. | The Home Office said it had sought the strictest bail conditions possible for "U" while deportation proceedings against him continued. |
A Home Office spokesman said: "It is our position that individuals who are not British nationals who pose a threat to the national security of the UK should be deported. | |
"Bail conditions are a matter for the court, but we argued for and received very strict conditions indeed." | |
'Security risk' | |
Earlier court rulings described "U" as someone who had had direct links to Bin Laden and had a senior position at a mujahideen training camp in Afghanistan. | |
"U" was also allegedly associated with a group that planned to bomb the Christmas market in Strasbourg in 2000. | "U" was also allegedly associated with a group that planned to bomb the Christmas market in Strasbourg in 2000. |
He had been in custody since February 2001, when he was picked up at Heathrow airport attempting to board a flight to Saudi Arabia with a false passport. | |
Siac stated in May last year: "We share the security service's assessment that he remains a risk to national security. | |
"He has shown no sign of disavowing his former beliefs or associates." | |
Abu Qatada, 47, was released from the same prison after winning his fight against deportation to Jordan. | |
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said an appeal would be lodged against that ruling. |