Six Algerian terror suspects get 2,800 euros in UK

The European Court of Human Rights offered 2,800 euros compensation to six Algerians accused of being involved in terror acts along with preacher Abu Qatada, a Tunisian and a Palestinian for being illegally held in the UK.

• The court found Britain guilty on Thursday of unlawfully detaining the men under an anti-terrorism law passed after the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001.
• The nine plaintiffs — six Algerians, a Jordanian, a Tunisian and a man registered as stateless but of Palestinian origin — were suspected of having ties with al-Qaeda and held in high-security prisons.
• The court ruled against two further plaintiffs, a Frenchman and a Moroccan, because they were held for a shorter period and released after requesting repatriation to their home countries.
• The 11 men said they were imprisoned arbitrarily and without charge, and that they had suffered degrading, inhuman treatment. The British government denied the accusations and said all11 had ties with Islamist extremist groups.
• The ruling triggered anger and dissatisfaction in Britain. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was “very disappointed” with the award, but it was “not always possible” to bring terror suspects to trial.