Why is Abu Qatada being freed and can he ever be deported?

THE RADICAL Muslim cleric Abu Qatada is to be released on bail from Long Lartin jail in Worcestershire following a ruling in his favour by the European Court of Human Rights - and he could even have restrictions on his movement revoked in three months' time.

The sayings and sermons of Abu Qatada al-Filistini

The Home Office continues to believe Qatada is a threat to national security and wants to deport him to Jordan where he faces prison for alleged terrorism.

Qatada's case has provoked outrage. The Daily Telegraph reports that even the cleric's defence team, while arguing he should be released, suggest he poses a risk to national security. Ed Fitzgerald QC said: "However grave the risk of absconding, however grave the risk of further offending, there comes a point when it's just too long."

Prime Minister David Cameron has said the European court's ruling is "discrediting" the whole concept of human rights.

Why has Abu Qatada been in prison?

Qatada, real name Omar Othman, is a native of Jordan, where he has been convicted of terrorism offences in his absence. The BBC reports that he is one of the most influential Islamist clerics in Europe and has been described by judges here as "truly dangerous". The British Government considers Qatada a threat to national security and has detained him since 2005 while it attempts to deport him to Jordan.

Why is Abu Qatada being released?

Last month, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Abu Qatada cannot be deported to Jordan because of the risk that evidence gained under torture might be used against him in a future trial. Yesterday, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission decided that the European ruling meant that Qatada should be released on stringent bail conditions.

Will Abu Qatada really be at liberty?

No. Qatada will live at an address in London which will have been reviewed by MI5. He will be under house arrest and will only be allowed to go outside for two one-hour periods a day. Anyone visiting the address apart from his family will have to be pre-approved and he will be barred from the internet.

Can Abu Qatada ever be deported?

Yes, there is a chance of deportation if the Government can extract the required assurances - including that evidence obtained under torture will not be used at a future trial - from the Jordanian government. However, if there is no progress in these negotiations within three months, even Abu Qatada's strict bail conditions could be lifted - and then he truly will be at liberty. ·