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Abu Qatada released from prison | Abu Qatada released from prison |
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The radical Islamist preacher Abu Qatada has been released from jail. | The radical Islamist preacher Abu Qatada has been released from jail. |
Qatada, 47, was freed from Long Lartin Prison, in Worcestershire, at about 2020 BST after winning his fight against deportation from Britain. | Qatada, 47, was freed from Long Lartin Prison, in Worcestershire, at about 2020 BST after winning his fight against deportation from Britain. |
A senior judge earlier signed papers authorising the release of Qatada, previously described as Osama Bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe. | A senior judge earlier signed papers authorising the release of Qatada, previously described as Osama Bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe. |
The Palestinian-Jordanian preacher will be subjected to a 22-hour home curfew and tight restrictions on his liberty. | The Palestinian-Jordanian preacher will be subjected to a 22-hour home curfew and tight restrictions on his liberty. |
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she is "disappointed" with the decision to release him, and says the government will appeal. | Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said she is "disappointed" with the decision to release him, and says the government will appeal. |
Qatada was once described by a judge as a "truly dangerous individual at the centre of al Qaeda's activities in the UK". | Qatada was once described by a judge as a "truly dangerous individual at the centre of al Qaeda's activities in the UK". |
Last month the Court of Appeal blocked his deportation to Jordan, where Qatada has been convicted in his absence of involvement in terror attacks. | Last month the Court of Appeal blocked his deportation to Jordan, where Qatada has been convicted in his absence of involvement in terror attacks. |
Appeal Court judges feared evidence gained from torture could be used against Qatada in a future trial. | Appeal Court judges feared evidence gained from torture could be used against Qatada in a future trial. |
Restrictions | |
Mr Justice Mitting of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) granted Qatada bail on Tuesday with strict conditions. | |
He must wear an electronic tag and must not attend a mosque or lead prayers or religious instruction. | |
The government's priority is to protect public safety and national security and we will take all steps necessary to do so Home Secretary Jacqui Smith | |
Qatada must also stay in his west London home for at least 22 hours a day, and cannot attend any kind of meeting. He is also forbidden from using mobile phones, computers or the internet. | |
Police have special permission to enter and search his home while Qatada is banned from having guests other than family and solicitors. | |
Among the people he is banned from meeting in London is al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. | |
Others include bin Laden's deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri and Rachid Ramda, who has been convicted in France of masterminding a series of bombings in 1995. | |
Also named is hate preacher Abu Hamza. | |
Public safety | |
Ms Smith said she was disappointed that Qatada had been granted bail, even though the conditions were strict. | |
She added: "I am appealing to the House of Lords to reverse the decision that it is not safe to deport Qatada and the other Jordanian cases. | |
"The government's priority is to protect public safety and national security and we will take all steps necessary to do so." | |
Qatada became one of the UK's most wanted men in December 2001 when he went on the run, on the eve of government moves to introduce anti-terror laws allowing suspects to be detained without charge or trial. | |
In October 2002 the authorities tracked him down to a council house in south London and took him to Belmarsh Prison. | |
He was eventually freed on bail in March 2005, but was made the subject of a control order to limit his movements. | |
In August that year he was taken back into custody pending the extradition to Jordan. |