Abu Qatada Arrested as Home Office Intends to Deport Him to Jordan

Radical Cleric Abu Qutada has been arrested at his home and the Home Office will begin proceedings to report him, sources say.

Qatada was re-arrested at his home in North London. He is wanted in Jordan on terror charges.

Authorities have been attempting to deport Qatada, a leading al-Qaida figure in Europe, since 2005, claiming he poses a risk to national security.

He is expected to appear at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, where the Home Secretary Theresa May will update MPs on his case.

The European Court of Human Rights blocked his deportation to Jordan in January, saying evidence obtained by torture might be used against him.

May travelled to Jordan to discuss the case of the 51-year-old Palestinian-Jordanian with Kings and ministers.

May will address MPs as the deadline for any appeal to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights passes at midnight.

Sky News reported Qatada told he would be deported on or around 30 April.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "UK Border Agency officers have today arrested Abu Qatada and told him that we intend to resume deportation proceedings against him.

"The Home Secretary will make a statement to Parliament later."

Any move to deport him is likely to be challenged in court by Qatada's legal team.

Qatada, also known as Omar Othman, was convicted in his absence in Jordan of involvement with terror attacks in 1998 and has featured in hate sermons found on videos in the flat of one of the September 11 bombers.

Qatada, who was once dubbed Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, was released on bail after six years in custody in February.

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