This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7759837.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Judges send Qatada back to jail | Judges send Qatada back to jail |
(9 minutes later) | |
A radical preacher, who has been dubbed Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, has been returned to jail after judges agreed he might abscond. | A radical preacher, who has been dubbed Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, has been returned to jail after judges agreed he might abscond. |
Abu Qatada had been held on a 22-hour home curfew, after winning the latest stage of a battle against deportation. | Abu Qatada had been held on a 22-hour home curfew, after winning the latest stage of a battle against deportation. |
Judges have agreed with ministers that he might flee - even though there is no evidence of such a plan at present. | Judges have agreed with ministers that he might flee - even though there is no evidence of such a plan at present. |
The cleric was arrested at his home in London in November. The UK wants to return him to Jordan. | The cleric was arrested at his home in London in November. The UK wants to return him to Jordan. |
Mr Qatada says his conviction there for terrorism offences was unfair. | Mr Qatada says his conviction there for terrorism offences was unfair. |
A panel of judges at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac), which acts as the UK's national security tribunal, heard last month that the 47-year-old Jordanian-Palestinian could be plotting to leave the UK. | |
One allegation related to an al-Qaeda message on an extremist website which was said to call on unnamed but influential preachers to join Islamist fighters in battle overseas. | One allegation related to an al-Qaeda message on an extremist website which was said to call on unnamed but influential preachers to join Islamist fighters in battle overseas. |
MI5 intelligence | MI5 intelligence |
The Home Office alleged that Mr Qatada had also recorded a video sermon in his home, in breach of a key element of his bail conditions. | The Home Office alleged that Mr Qatada had also recorded a video sermon in his home, in breach of a key element of his bail conditions. |
QATADA'S LEGAL BATTLES 1993: Arrived in UK2001: Disappeared to avoid detention2002: DetainedMarch 2005: Bailed after major legal challengeServed with control order next dayAug 2005: Detained in fresh deportation attemptApril 2008: Wins at Court of AppealJune 2008: BailedNovember 2008: Detained again | |
Mr Qatada denied these allegations, saying he had no idea about the online messages, while the sermon was in fact a home video in which he could be seen telling his children about a Muslim festival. | Mr Qatada denied these allegations, saying he had no idea about the online messages, while the sermon was in fact a home video in which he could be seen telling his children about a Muslim festival. |
Other allegations, based on MI5 intelligence, were heard by the judges in secret. | Other allegations, based on MI5 intelligence, were heard by the judges in secret. |
The tribunal said the open allegations were not enough to deny the preacher bail - and that the Home Secretary accepted he had not yet breached his tough bail conditions. | The tribunal said the open allegations were not enough to deny the preacher bail - and that the Home Secretary accepted he had not yet breached his tough bail conditions. |
The judges noted Mr Qatada and his legal team were looking in good faith for a neutral third country that was willing to take him - but added that was not a realistic prospect. | The judges noted Mr Qatada and his legal team were looking in good faith for a neutral third country that was willing to take him - but added that was not a realistic prospect. |
"The secretary of state does not rely on any allegation of breach," said Mr Justice Mitting, chair of the commission. | "The secretary of state does not rely on any allegation of breach," said Mr Justice Mitting, chair of the commission. |
"Her contention is that the commission should form the opinion that it is likely that he will break his bail conditions by absconding." | "Her contention is that the commission should form the opinion that it is likely that he will break his bail conditions by absconding." |
Revoking his bail, the panel agreed that material shown to them indicated a significant risk that Mr Qatada would flee because of changes in circumstances. | Revoking his bail, the panel agreed that material shown to them indicated a significant risk that Mr Qatada would flee because of changes in circumstances. |
Legal battle | Legal battle |
Immigration rules allow a foreign national to be held in jail only as long as a deportation is likely to take place. | Immigration rules allow a foreign national to be held in jail only as long as a deportation is likely to take place. |
Mr Qatada was bailed in June after the Court of Appeal ruled he could not be sent to Jordan. | Mr Qatada was bailed in June after the Court of Appeal ruled he could not be sent to Jordan. |
Judges said his conviction there may have relied upon evidence obtained by torture. Ministers have appealed that decision to the Law Lords - and the case could end up in Europe. | Judges said his conviction there may have relied upon evidence obtained by torture. Ministers have appealed that decision to the Law Lords - and the case could end up in Europe. |
Siac's decision to revoke bail is unusual and similar to the position in criminal courts. In those cases, a defendant on a very serious charge is almost always remanded, no matter how far away their trial may be. | Siac's decision to revoke bail is unusual and similar to the position in criminal courts. In those cases, a defendant on a very serious charge is almost always remanded, no matter how far away their trial may be. |
The cleric's bail conditions had included wearing an electronic tag, a ban on attending any mosque or leading prayers. He had permission to leave his home twice a day, for an hour each time. | The cleric's bail conditions had included wearing an electronic tag, a ban on attending any mosque or leading prayers. He had permission to leave his home twice a day, for an hour each time. |
He was forbidden from using the internet, mobile phones and from meeting a long list of people, including Osama bin Laden. | He was forbidden from using the internet, mobile phones and from meeting a long list of people, including Osama bin Laden. |
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "I'm pleased the court has agreed that Qatada should have his bail revoked. | Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "I'm pleased the court has agreed that Qatada should have his bail revoked. |
"He poses a significant threat to our national security and I am pleased that he will be detained pending his deportation, which I'm working hard to secure." | "He poses a significant threat to our national security and I am pleased that he will be detained pending his deportation, which I'm working hard to secure." |