Britain to deport terror suspects to Algeria

Law Lords ruled on Wednesday that the Home Office can deport two Algerians, named only 'RB' and 'U' who face terrorism charges along with the deportation of radical preacher Abu Qatada to Jordan.

• Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith said she was “delighted” and that the decision “vindicates” efforts to remove Abu Qatada while his lawyers said they would take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
• The UK has been pushing for Qatada’s deportation to face terrorism charges in Jordan – but he says his conviction there for attacks in 1998 and a millennium bomb plot, was unfair.
• Their efforts hit a brick wall in the summer after judges ruled Qatada could be tortured if sent back to the Middle East – a ruling the Home Office today won.
• His case is similar to the Algerians’ one as they had said they would face torture if they returned home.
• The UK signed a memorandum of understanding with Jordan and Algeria in 2005 on not torturing deported terror suspects.
• Abu Qatada supported armed terror groups in Algeria especially the Armed Islamic Group (GIA). In March 1995, he issued a fatwa to kill civilians and policemen’s families in Algeria.
• In May 1998, he applies for indefinite leave to remain in Britain.
• He was convicted in his absence on terror charges in Jordan in April 1999 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
• In February 2001, he was arrested by anti-terror police over involvement in plot to bomb Strasbourg Christmas market.
• He became one of Britain’s most wanted men December 2001 after going on the run from his home in Acton, West London.
• In October 2002, he was arrested by police in a council house in south London and detained in Belmarsh high-security jail.