Suspect can fight Iraq detention

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A terror suspect being held by UK forces in Iraq without charge or trial has won permission to challenge his detention.

Hilal al-Jedda, 48, who has dual British and Iraqi nationality, has been held in Basra since October 2004.

Two High Court judges in London gave him permission to seek a writ of habeas corpus to free him from custody.

Lawyers for Mr Jedda already have one case at the House of Lords, arguing that his detention is unlawful.

Mr Jedda, who has been held at the Shaibah military base, southern Iraq, denies involvement in terrorist activities.

On Friday, Keir Starmer QC argued that his client also be allowed to argue "as a matter of fact" that his detention is not necessary "for imperative reasons of security", as Defence Secretary Des Browne has said.

The internment was authorised on the grounds that Mr Jedda was "suspected of membership of a terrorist group involved in weapons smuggling and explosives attacks".

Lord Justice Scott Baker and Mr Justice David Clarke have now ruled that the case is arguable and should go to a full hearing.

The lord justice said an important issue has been raised over whether or not English courts have jurisdiction to entertain an application for judicial review involving a detainee of British forces in Iraq.