Bin Laden's 'Right-Hand Man' Released

Judge grants bail as Brits try to deport Abu Qatada to Jordan
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 18, 2008 10:36 AM CDT
Bin Laden's 'Right-Hand Man' Released
Abu Qatada, called Osama bin Laden's "right-hand man in Europe," has been released on bail by a British court.   (AP Photo)

The British government will appeal the release of a terrorism suspect described as Osama bin Laden's "right-hand man in Europe," the Telegraph reports. A judge ruled that Abu Qatada should be released because he has not been convicted of a crime and is not facing deportation. The British government has thus far failed to deport him to his native Jordan.

Another court decided earlier that returning him to Jordan would violate his human rights. Though the suspect was released under strict conditions, one Liberal Democrat said Britain's terrorism policies are "not working." Abu Qatada has been accused of inspiring the 9/11 attacks, and his videotaped sermons were found in the apartment of three of the hijackers. (More terrorism stories.)

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