This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7460195.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Abu Qatada released from prison | Abu Qatada released from prison |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The radical Islamist preacher Abu Qatada has been released from jail. | The radical Islamist preacher Abu Qatada has been released from jail. |
| Abu 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 Abu Qatada, previously described as Osama Bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe. | A senior judge earlier signed papers authorising the release of Abu 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. |
| Abu Qatada was once described by a judge as a "truly dangerous individual at the centre of al Qaeda's activities in the UK". | Abu 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 Abu Qatada has been convicted in his absence of involvement in terror attacks. | Last month the Court of Appeal blocked his deportation to Jordan, where Abu Qatada has been convicted in his absence of involvement in terror attacks. |
| Appeal Court judges feared evidence gained from torture could be used against Abu Qatada in a future trial. | Appeal Court judges feared evidence gained from torture could be used against Abu Qatada in a future trial. |
| Restrictions | Restrictions |
| Mr Justice Mitting of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) granted Abu Qatada bail on Tuesday with strict conditions. | Mr Justice Mitting of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) granted Abu 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. | 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 | 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 |
| Abu 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. | Abu 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 Abu Qatada is banned from having guests other than family and solicitors. | Police have special permission to enter and search his home while Abu 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. | 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. | 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. | Also named is hate preacher Abu Hamza. |
| Public safety | Public safety |
| Ms Smith said she was disappointed that Abu Qatada had been granted bail, even though the conditions were strict. | Ms Smith said she was disappointed that Abu 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. | 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." | "The government's priority is to protect public safety and national security and we will take all steps necessary to do so." |
| Abu 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. | Abu 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. | 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. | 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. | In August that year he was taken back into custody pending the extradition to Jordan. |