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Abu Qatada pleads not guilty to terror charges in Jordan Abu Qatada pleads not guilty to terror charges in Jordan
(about 9 hours later)
The radical cleric Abu Qatada, who was deported to Jordan from the UK in July, pleaded not guilty at a military court in Amman on Tuesday to charges of conspiracy to carry out terror attacks.The radical cleric Abu Qatada, who was deported to Jordan from the UK in July, pleaded not guilty at a military court in Amman on Tuesday to charges of conspiracy to carry out terror attacks.
The 53-year-old preacher, who was once described as a senior al-Qaida figure with close links to Osama bin Laden, protested at the presence of a military judge as the first of two trials began. "I will not answer questions by this court because I do not recognise its jurisdiction," he said.The 53-year-old preacher, who was once described as a senior al-Qaida figure with close links to Osama bin Laden, protested at the presence of a military judge as the first of two trials began. "I will not answer questions by this court because I do not recognise its jurisdiction," he said.
Two civilian judges and one military judge presided over the hearing at Jordan's state security court. Abu Qatada said the UK-Jordan treaty that led to his return to Jordan had guaranteed a civilian trial. Two civilian judges and one military judge presided over the hearing at Jordan's state security court. Abu Qatada said the UK-Jordan treaty that led to his return to Amman had guaranteed a civilian trial.
Following more than a decade of legal battles, the cleric submitted to deportation after Jordan and Britain ratified a special mutual assistance treaty in June promising fair legal treatment. After more than a decade of legal battles, the cleric submitted to deportation after Jordan and Britain ratified a special mutual assistance treaty in June promising fair legal treatment. The defence lawyer Ghazi al-Deeba read excerpts from article 27 of the treaty, which stipulated that the trial take place in a "competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law". The presence of a military judge violated this clause, he said, adding that the treaty also invalidated evidence obtained through torture or ill-treatment. He complained that the trial had been delayed for too long.
The defence lawyer Ghazi al-Deeba read excerpts from article 27 of the treaty, which stipulated that the trial take place in a "competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law". The presence of a military judge violated this clause, he said, adding that the treaty also invalidated evidence obtained through torture or ill-treatment. He complained that the trial had been delayed for too long.
The prosecution interrupted several times, saying terrorism was one of five grand crimes – terrorism, counterfeiting, drug-trafficking, treason and espionage – that were reserved for security court jurisdiction in Jordan. "International agreements take precedence over local law," Deeba said.The prosecution interrupted several times, saying terrorism was one of five grand crimes – terrorism, counterfeiting, drug-trafficking, treason and espionage – that were reserved for security court jurisdiction in Jordan. "International agreements take precedence over local law," Deeba said.
Abu Qatada, wearing brown prison robes, was silent during the latter part of the hour-long hearing, hands in pockets as he sat on a wooden bench in a cell guarded by a row of policemen. Foreign and local journalists filled the seven rows of benches, along with Abu Qatada's two sons, three daughters and wife, who travelled from Britain in August. His sister came in late, blowing him a kiss before joining the row of women in the back, all wearing full niqabs. Abu Qatada, wearing brown prison robes, was silent during the latter part of the hour-long hearing, hands in pockets as he sat on a wooden bench in a cell guarded by a row of police officers.
Outside the court, one of Abu Qatada's daughters said his situation was worse here than in Britain in terms of communication. "He's in prison," said the daughter, who refused to give her name. "It is not good for the court to keep him like this." The family is allowed three 30-minute visits a week, along with 10 minutes of phone conversation. Foreign and local journalists filled the seven rows of benches for the public, along with Abu Qatada's two sons, three daughters and wife, who travelled from Britain in August. His sister came in late, blowing him a kiss before joining the row of women in the back.
Abu Qatada, whose real name is Omar Mahmoud Mohammed Othman, arrived in Britain on a forged passport in 1993 after fleeing a Jordanian government crackdown on militants, and obtained asylum a year later. In 1999 and 2000, he was convicted in Jordan in absentia for attempted terrorism plots against various western targets, and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Outside the court, one of his daughters said his situation was worse in Jordan than in Britain in terms of communication. "He's in prison," said one daughter. "It is not good for the court to keep him like this." The family is allowed three 30-minute visits a week, and 10 minutes of phone conversation.
In 2001, the British authorities recognised Abu Qatada as a security threat and began trying to deport him. He was detained in 2002 under anti-terrorism laws, which at the time allowed suspected terrorists to be jailed without charge, and was released in 2005. Courts repeatedly blocked the deportation attempts over concern that he would be tried by evidence obtained under torture. Following his return, the Jordanian sentences were suspended pending the retrial. Abu Qatada, whose real name is Omar Mahmoud Mohammed Othman, arrived in Britain on a forged passport in 1993 after fleeing a Jordanian government crackdown on militants. , and obtained asylum a year later. In 1999 and 2000, he was convicted in Jordan in absentia for attempted terrorism plots against various western targets, and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
In 2001, the UK authorities recognised him,as a security threat and began trying to deport him. He was detained in 2002 under anti-terrorism laws, which at the time allowed suspected terrorists to be jailed without charge. He was released in 2005. Courts repeatedly blocked the deportation attempts over concerns he would be tried by evidence obtained under torture. After his return, the Jordanian sentences were suspended pending the retrial.
The next hearing is scheduled for 24 December.The next hearing is scheduled for 24 December.
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