Curbs put on Muslim cleric 'justified'

THE governor of a high-security prison acted reasonably when he took steps to prevent a Muslim preacher "radicalising" young Muslim inmates, the High Court has ruled.

Two judges yesterday said radical cleric Abu Qatada, 49, was an "iconic figure for jihadists" and moves to restrict his possible "malign influence" at Long Lartin in Worcestershire were justified and proportionate.

Qatada's real name is Omar Othman and he was once dubbed Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe.

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He is among six Muslim terror suspects who are unconvicted of any offence but held in a special detainee unit at Long Lartin.

The high-profile detainees face extradition requests from other countries for alleged terrorist offences but have launched legal challenges or cannot be deported because they could be tortured.

They include Khalid Al-Fawwaz, 47, and Adel Abdel Bary, 49, who are wanted by US authorities for conspiracy to murder American citizens in the bombings of US embassies in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam in 1998.

Qatada faces jail in Jordan for terrorism but alleges his conviction was based on evidence extracted by torture.

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Yesterday, Lord Justice Aikens, sitting with Mr Justice Openshaw, rejected challenges to a decision by Long Lartin governor Ferdie Parker, in December 2008, to change the living conditions for all the detainees after Qatada returned to the unit.

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