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Qatada back in prison over 'escape plot' escape plot
Felix Allen and Anna Davis10 Nov 2008
A RADICAL Muslim preacher once described as Osama bin Laden's "right-hand man" in Europe is back in custody today after being suspected of plotting to flee the country.
Terror suspect Abu Qatada, who was freed from prison in June after a failed bid to deport him, had been held at his west London home.
But he is believed to have been planning to flee to Lebanon, despite not having a passport.
Qatada, 47, was arrested after the authorities received a tip-off. It is believed that the UK Borders Agency was told that Qatada was planning to leave the country, and an emergency session of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission was convened.
The Commission heard that Qatada had attempted to breach one of his 22 bail restrictions, and a judge ruled in favour of the Home Office's application to cancel bail as a temporary measure.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith then ordered Qatada's arrest and he was taken to Belmarsh prison.
Today Home Office lawyers will apply for him to be locked up permanently.
Reader views (6)
Yes Albert from 20000 ft.
- Kev, London, 11/11/2008 04:41
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Kev I agree with your comment but I assume you mean drop him off literally, ie do not bother to land, open the back door and chuck him out.
- Albert Hall, kettering, 10/11/2008 17:07
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Put him on a plane with all his family and friends and his followers and drop them of on the Greenland peninsular,that's far more moral than keeping them here on housing benefit and income support payed for by the kuffar and made to live in a country of infidels that's really wicked,or send him to Jordan were he can be tortured by his fellow believers.or maybe send him to see his beloved Allah,i really cant see a problem,so be kind to him give him what he would wont the most?
- Kev, London, 10/11/2008 16:32
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So let him go so he can spit his vile racism no thanks lock him up. throw away the key.
- Robert, Swansea, 10/11/2008 15:53
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"Home Office lawyers will apply for him to be locked up permanently".
WHY! Let him leave and make sure all his friends and family follow and never let any of them back, ever!
- Colin, LONDON, 10/11/2008 14:59
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So let me get this straight. We try to deport him, but it's a breach of his human rights. He tries to 'flee', but he's arrested. How much money are we wasting on this man?
- Scott, London, 10/11/2008 14:24
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