Afternoon:
9°c
David Cameron will vow to fight to keep the United Kingdom together, just hours before a key meeting with Scotland's First Minister on an independence referendum
More...
Terrorise the non-believers, orders 'Bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe' after he is freed on bail
Last updated at 09:22am on 19.06.08
Abu Qatada will be required to wear an electronic tag
Suspected Al Qaeda leader Abu Qatada is celebrating his release from prison with the release of a book in which he urges Muslims to commit terrorist attacks in the West.
In the 71-page tract, published in English translation on the internet, he repeatedly claims that fighting jihad, holy war, is obligatory for all Muslims and urges them to 'terrorise' non-believers.
Security sources say his clear incitement to violence makes a mockery of the decision to set him free.
The preacher of hate, who has been described as Osama Bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, was released on bail from Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire on Tuesday after the blocking of his deportation to Jordan, where he is wanted on terror charges.
A judge ruled there were no grounds to keep him in jail, but the Special Immigration Appeals Commission imposed unprecedented conditions on his release, including a stipulation that he observe a 22-hour curfew and wear an electronic tag.
He will be under round-the-clock surveillance in a MI5 safehouse and is specifically banned from contacting Bin Laden.
Counter-terrorism officials believe that Qatada, 47, remains a grave threat to national security and will be furious to learn he has yet again flouted the law by publishing his sickening views as he is set free.
Abu Qatada, crouching in the back seat, being driven out of Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire
The revelations are likely to prompt demands for a new investigation into whether Qatada should be charged with inciting murder and racial hatred.
A senior security source said: 'The contents of the book are an affront to all decent people. By publishing it now, Qatada and his supporters are giving the two-fingered salute to the criminal justice system.'
Referring to supporters of democracy, Qatada proclaims in his book that 'rising up against them with weapons and with force is an individual obligation upon every Muslim'.
He says Muslims should ' prepare to terrorise the enemies of Allah and incite believers to fight'.
Twenty-stone Qatada arrived in Britain 14 years ago on a forged passport, and was granted asylum the following year.
Conditions for Qatada
He was convicted in his absence in Jordan of involvement with terror attacks in 1998, and of plotting to plant bombs during the Millennium celebrations.
The book has been issued by Qatada's British followers, who operate under the name At-Tibyan Publications. It is being promoted on Al Qaeda-linked websites worldwide, with a message saying that the release is 'in celebration of our beloved sheik's upcoming reunion with his family'.
The release of the book, believed to have been written before Qatada was jailed, comes at a time when there is a high level of chatter among Al Qaeda supporters hinting at new 9/11-style atrocities.
Messages on websites run by suspected Al Qaeda operatives claim that spectacular attacks are imminent.
The Home Office has not yet abandoned hope of throwing Qatada out of the country and is appealing to the House of Lords. Once that process is exhausted his bail will lapse, and ministers will have to apply for a Control Order to limit his movements.
A VERY EXPENSIVE GUEST
- Since Qatada claimed asylum in 1993, he and his family have already cost the taxpayer well over £1million and the bill will now rise dramatically.
- Legal aid for his initial battle to remain came to about £20,000.
- Between 1993 and 2002, he and his expanding family are said to have received £1,000 a month in state handouts. Total £108,000.
- Since he was locked up six years ago, the Muslim cleric's wife and five children have continued to receive an estimated £800 a month. Total £60,000.
- The cost of keeping him behind bars for the last six years is estimated at £300,000, while his marathon legal quest to avoid extradition to Jordan is thought to have cost another £500,000 since
- Out of prison, he will have to observe a 22-hour curfew, wear a tag, and live in a MI5 safehouse. At great expense to the taxpayer, he will also be under round-the-clock surveillance by police and the security services. Total cost of all this is estimated at between £300,000 and £500,000 per year.
Reader views (14)
I sincerely hope he will be compensated for any discomfort or upset he may have suffered during his internment.
- Terry Wrist, London, 18/06/2008 10:50
Report abuse
Surely the most important thing concerning Mr Quatada is not the fact that he has been released, but the fact that he is going to be paid for by the British taxpayer for the indefinite future, plus, presumably, his multiple wives and children, housed, and covered for his health. I never used to believe in fairies, but am starting to...
- Jonathan Montmorency, Cooden, UK, 18/06/2008 08:51
Report abuse
I read reports only a few months ago saying that this man was radicalising other inmates will in prison, is he being allowed out on good behaviour. The man is a menace to society.
- W Joseph, London, England, 18/06/2008 07:02
Report abuse
So let me get this right! All last week we had Brown telling us he needs to introduce laws allowing him to lock people up for 42 days before charge because he wants to send a message to the terrorists that Britain means business. A few days later, due to laws this pathetic government introduced, we have to release a person described as Bin Laden's European ambassador and a truly dangerous individual back onto the streets and we have to pay for the privilege. I think you have sent a big message, loud and clear to the bad guys. "It's business as usual in London." If Gordon really meant business he would repeal the laws preventing us deporting terrorists first. Then and only then once he has shown us the people he means business should he ask for more powers. This has nothing to do with anti terror and all about control of you and me. You only have to look at how local authorities are using anti terror laws to snoop, pry and prosecute people who break bye-laws to realise what would happen if they got these powers.
- Duncan Walker, Peckham, 18/06/2008 05:42
Report abuse
Have the indigenous population no human rights?
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford, 17/06/2008 22:24
Report abuse
Ab, London
"Why doesn't the media publish this man's address so we can go down there and protest against this vile man".
He lives in Acton, West London and was in receipt of benefits until it was discovered he had £180,000 in a bank account.
Google him, you'd be surprised what's on the net.
I've given up getting depressed about that's going on here now. I don't care any more as what can you do when your own Govt. is powerless to take any action against such people? Something has gone very wrong and we constantly send out the wrong message.
- Paul Baker, London, 17/06/2008 22:10
Report abuse
The UK is truly the terrorists playground. You can wander around plotting at will safe in the knowledge that your human rights will mean we will never throw you out even if you're not even a UK citizen - well done judges nice one.
- Steve, Hereford, 17/06/2008 21:42
Report abuse
A 'truly dangerous individual' is to be released on bail and not deported to his country of origin; and Gordon Brown prates on about the public's right to freedom from the threat of terrorism. You couldn't make it up. This farce should debar Labour from holding power in this country - permanently.
- Peter Haldane, London, 17/06/2008 17:38
Report abuse
No wonder these preachers of hate love it here - they must think we are totally mad in the way we handle threats to our Country.
This dangerous cleric should be turfed back to Jordan where he is wanted for terrorist activity - never mind about his human rights - what about ours??
- Alan, Essex, 17/06/2008 17:24
Report abuse
Great - congratulations the powers that be.
- Louie, London, 17/06/2008 17:17
Report abuse
So the British taxpayer has to keep this odious individual who bites the very hand that feeds him. Is there any political party, other than the BNP, that will rid us of these murderous parasites?
- Ab, London, 17/06/2008 17:14
Report abuse
Why doesn't the media publish this man's address so we can go down there and protest against this vile man.
- Chris, London, 17/06/2008 16:40
Report abuse
So what about our 'human rights' as Joe Public?
If he is found to be involved in terrorism acts in future, and we get caught up in it, I presume we can sue the government or the courts can we?
So a known terrorist is allowed to walk the streets (as no doubt he won't stay in during his 'house arrest'), but I bet he'll still be allowed to collect his hand-outs from us tax-payers!
- Scott, London, 17/06/2008 16:35
Report abuse
ooh..how draconian. Meanwhile him and his scum friends live amongst us at our expense because this Govt once again fails in its 'duty of care' to the general populace in favour of the human rights act and these terrorists.
- Squiz, Islington, 17/06/2008 16:12
Report abuse
