Terror suspect in suicide threat

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A terror suspect subject to a control order has threatened to kill himself in front of a High Court judge.

Mahmoud Abu Rideh's outburst came during a legal challenge to the order, which restricts his movements.

Mr Abu Rideh said: "I have no human rights in this country... Do you want me to kill myself?"

He pulled a packet from his pocket, claiming he had a razor blade, and was led from court. Later it was said he did not have a blade.

Mr Abu Rideh's lawyers say severe restrictions placed on their client amount to "inhuman and degrading treatment" which has affected his mental health.

They say the control order - which includes a 12-hour home curfew, no internet access and a ban on visits from anyone who has not been approved by the Home Office - breaches his right to a private life under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Kill me like they killed Saddam Mahmoud Abu RidehTerror suspect

The suspect's remark, on the third day of the hearing, came after the judge said that, unless he was quiet, he would be asked to leave the court.

Standing at the back of the court, Mr Rideh, who has self-harmed in the past, said: "Kill me like they killed Saddam.

"See how many people Blair and Bush have killed."

He then pulled a packed from his pocket, saying: "I have a razor."

Mr Rideh was promptly led out of the court by his psychiatrist and solicitor Gareth Peirce.

Those with the suspect later said he did not really have a razor blade in the court. His legal team said he had threatened to kill himself because of the pressure he was under.

The hearing was adjourned while security officers were called.

National security

Mr Abu Rideh was born in Jordan to Palestinian refugee parents. He came to the UK in January 1995 and was recognised as a refugee.

In December 2001 he was detained under anti-terrorism laws accused of supporting and raising funds for international terrorist groups.

He was moved to Broadmoor Hospital in July 2002, but was granted bail in January 2005.

At the time, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) held that Mr Abu Rideh "remains rightly certified as a suspected international terrorist who is, on sound grounds, believed to be a risk to national security".

But his legal team is seeking a judicial review on the grounds that the restrictions on his life and that of his wife and family contravene European human rights laws.

In a hearing which is expected to last four days, the court has already heard "national security" evidence in private and has heard medical evidence on the effect of the control order on Mr Abu Rideh.