LONDON (AFP) — Abu Qatada, a radical Muslim cleric dubbed "Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe", succeeded Wednesday in the latest step of his fight to avoid deportation from Britain.
The 45-year-old Jordanian national won his appeal against a 2007 decision that he could be deported to Jordan because he was not at risk of torture in his home country, where he has been convicted of terror attacks.
But the Court of Appeal said Wednesday it was concerned that evidence alleged to be obtained under torture in Jordan may be used in any future trial involving him there.
The government said Qatada would not be released from jail, and it would appeal against the ruling.
Home Office minister Tony McNulty said: "I am pleased that the courts dismissed all but one of Abu Qatada's reasons for appeal.
"I believe that we will be able to secure his deportation to Jordan and we will push for it as soon as possible."
Qatada was described by a Spanish judge as Osama bin Laden's main contact in Europe.
Tapes of Qatada's sermons were found in a flat in the German city of Hamburg used by some of the September 11 hijackers.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
