In UK, judge denies bail to radical cleric Abu Qatada fearing that Qatada's release might stir trouble during the upcoming Olympics in July and August of 2012. Qatada has been fighting deportation to Jordan over terrorism charges and alleged involvement in numerous bomb blasts.The judge admitted having Qatada freed so close to the Olympics was not a risk he was willing to take. And that if Qatada escaped from prison it would result in a diversion of resources from the event.
From Special Immigration Appeals Commissions (siac), Justice Mitting told the Guardian.UK that they have received threats from al-Qaida affiliates. He also claimed that since the appeals hearing was set to early October, Qatada was now more than ever at risk of flight. Therefore keeping him locked for this period was "necessary and proportionate." Qatada's lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, argued that there was no increased chance of flight and that his client deserved bail after being in jail for a "for an unconscionable period of time," as reported by BBC News.
Qatada,51, has been in prison for 7 years. He is currently being kept in Bel marsh in a high-security prison and has lost his bid to make a final appeals order to the European Court of Human Rights earlier this month.
Qatada's lawyer, Fitzgerald said that if they lost the case with siac they would bring the appeals back to Europe. The trial is set to take place in October and a verdict will be dilivered the following month.
