Abu Qatada to be released from jail

February 14, 2012 by Agency Reporter 1 Comment

Abu Qatada, accused of being one of the United Kingdom’s most dangerous extremist preachers, is to be released from Long Lartin top-security jail later.

A judge ruled last week the six-year detention must end following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights.

It blocked his deportation to Jordan, where he faces terror charges, on the grounds evidence obtained by torture might be used against him there.

The UK government says Abu Qatada is a threat to national security. The UK and Jordan had previously reached agreement that he would not be tortured if he was deported.

Abu Qatada will be freed under strict bail conditions, including a 22-hour curfew with permission to leave the property for a maximum of an hour twice a day. He will also be electronically tagged.

No mobile phone or internet use is permitted under his bail conditions.

The Judiciary Communications Office confirmed his bail conditions had been agreed, paving the way for his release.

Under his strict curfew terms, the preacher will not be able to take his children to school as some reports had suggested.

But the UK government must show significant progress towards deporting Abu Qatada within three months or his bail conditions could be lifted.

Abu Qatada is leaving prison on Monday – but by no means will he be a free man.

He will live under some of the strictest bail restrictions under English law which he knows well from his previous release back in 2008.