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/6281593.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Five terror suspects to leave UK Five terror suspects to leave UK
(about 16 hours later)
Five Algerian terror suspects detained in Britain have voluntarily agreed to be deported, the BBC has learned.Five Algerian terror suspects detained in Britain have voluntarily agreed to be deported, the BBC has learned.
The men are part of a group of 27 foreigners held over fears they are a threat to national security.The men are part of a group of 27 foreigners held over fears they are a threat to national security.
Some of the men, who cannot be named due to a court order, have been held without trial for more than four years.Some of the men, who cannot be named due to a court order, have been held without trial for more than four years.
In 2004 their detention under anti-terror legislation was deemed unlawful but they were then held under immigration law.In 2004 their detention under anti-terror legislation was deemed unlawful but they were then held under immigration law.
'Torture fears''Torture fears'
The five men are all suspected terrorists and some are believed to have connections to radical Algerian terror cells. The men are all suspected terrorists and some are believed to have connections to radical Algerian terror cells.
The first of the five to be deported is expected to leave this morning. It is believed that at least one was sent back to Algeria on Saturday, although the Home Office has refused to comment.
Human rights campaigners say the men, who cannot be named because of a court order, will face torture on their return.Human rights campaigners say the men, who cannot be named because of a court order, will face torture on their return.
But this has been denied by Algeria. The British government, meanwhile, says it has assurances that the men will not be mistreated. This has been denied by Algeria and the British government says it has assurances that the men will not be mistreated.
Lawyers for the men said they could no longer bear indefinite detention and felt their only option was to agree to go back home. Lawyers said the suspects could no longer bear indefinite detention and felt their only option was to agree to go back home.
Gareth Peirce - whose firm Birnberg Peirce is representing three of the Algerians - said the men had chosen a "quick death there rather than an endless slow death here".
She added: "Each man goes in despair of ever clearing his name.
"All research into the effects of wrongful convictions speaks of the devastating effect of wrongful accusations upon the individuals and their families.
"For these men there have been no convictions, no proper accusations, no knowledge of what is alleged against them and, astonishingly for most, no questioning by police to discover whether untested secret assumptions might be wrong."
'Ashamed'
A Home Office spokeswoman declined to comment on "operational matters".
She added: "It remains our view that those detained on strict bail remain a real risk to the national security of this country."
Shami Chakrabarti, director of civil rights group Liberty, said: "The government should be ashamed when people would prefer to face torture rather than indefinite detention without trial.
"Diplomatic assurances are a farce - Algeria has signed international agreements against torture but the reports of ill treatment in that country continue."