Radical Islamist preacher released on bail in Britain
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 6 February 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radical Islamist preacher released on bail in Britain, 6 February 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4f3bc760b.html [accessed 22 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 06, 2012
A British court has ruled that a radical Islamist preacher described as one of Europe's leading Al-Qaeda operatives should be released on bail.
Abu Qatada – whose real name is Omar Othman – has spent the past six-and-a-half years in custody or under house arrest.
Britain accuses him of sponsoring terrorism but he has never faced formal charges.
The British government wants to deport Qatada, a Jordanian citizen, to Jordan to face terror charges but the European Court of Human Rights last month ruled against his deportation saying that evidence obtained by torture would be used against him in Jordan.
Qatada is expected to be released within days on bail under stringent conditions.
The government says it will continue the legal battle to have him deported.
Compiled from agency reports
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
