Abu Qatada Loses Bid For Freedom At High Court

Abu Qatada Loses Latest Bid For Freedom
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Radical preacher Abu Qatada lost his latest bid for freedom on Tuesday.

Two judges at the High Court in London rejected his challenge against his continuing detention by Home Secretary Theresa May.

The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) ruled two months ago that the detention of Qatada, who is fighting deportation to Jordan, was lawful.

Leaving him free during heightened security for the 2012 Olympics would be "exceptionally problematic", a judge said.

Lord Justice Hughes, sitting with Mr Justice Silber, said the court was "quite satisfied" that Qatada's judicial review application should be dismissed.

After the decision was announced, lawyers for Qatada indicated they would consider taking the case to the Court of Appeal once they have seen the court's reasons for its ruling.

Commenting on the judgement Robin Simcox, a research fellow and security expert at The Henry Jackson Society said: "Good sense won out in today’s decision. Keeping Abu Qatada detained is clearly warranted."