Preacher's release stirs up debate

Wednesday, 15 February 2012 10:06

Written by Editor

Abu Qatada, accused of being one of the UK's most dangerous extremist preachers, has been released from Long Lartin top-security jail in Evesham. Despite the government's claim that he is a threat to national security, his deportation to Jordan where he faces terror charges was blocked by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) last week, effectively ending his six-year detention. The court reached its decision on the grounds that evidence obtained by torture might be used against him there. The UK and Jordan had previously reached agreement that he would not be tortured if he was deported. Liberal Democrat peer Lord Carlile, the government's former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said: "It is extraordinary that this man should remain in the United Kingdom.

"We have to find a way of making him leave. There are legal, rule of law ways, of achieving that. It's just a pity it wasn't done before." He said people's incredulity over the 51-year-old's release was "entirely justified".

Described by a Spanish judge as "spiritual head of the mujahideen in Britain" the UK authorities have claimed Qatada gave advice to people who aimed "to engage in terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings". The Muslim preacher also featured in hate sermons found on videos in the flat of one of the September 11th bombers.

Abu Qatada was freed under strict bail conditions, including a 22-hour curfew that allows him to leave home for a maximum of an hour twice a day. He has also been electronically tagged, and is banned from attending a mosque, leading prayers, publishing any statement, or meeting any of 27 named individuals. Use of a mobile phone or the internet is also prohibited.

Unless the UK government can show significant progress towards deporting Abu Qatada within three months, his bail conditions could be lifted.

Tory MP Peter Bone said: "It cannot be right that a sovereign nation has someone who they think is an extremely dangerous individual who cannot possibly be allowed to stay in the country just because of the risk of his human rights. What about the human rights of all our citizens – our men and women and children?" Joel Bennathan QC, a leading defence barrister in counter-terrorism cases, said: "Any 'jihadi' who says anything that could conceivably be seen as encouraging violence tends to get arrested and charged with incitement to murder, racial or religious hatred.

"It is a fair guess that Abu Qatada has not done or said anything dangerous for years, if ever he did."