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MUSLIM hate cleric Abu Qatada has been released on bail and is free to fight extradition to Jordan.
The cleric is due to be released within days despite posing a risk to national security, Mr Justice Mitting ruled at a hearing o the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Lawyers of Home Secretary Theresa May have battled to keep Qatada behind bars while British diplomats continue to seek assurances from the Jordanian authorities that evidence gained through torture would not be used against him.
Ed Fitzgerald QC, representing Qatada, told an immigration judge in central London that Qatada had now been held for six-and-a-half years while fighting deportation.
He told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) that that was "against a background of almost nine years detention without charges on the grounds of national security".
Mr Fitzgerald said: "The detention has now gone on for too long to be reasonable or lawful and there is no prospect of the detention ending in any reasonable period.
"However the risk of absconding, however the risk of further offending, there comes a point when it's just too long.
"There comes a time when it's just too long, however grave the risks."
Qatada is expected to be released next week.
The bail conditions will be similar to those set in 2008, with Qatada confined to his home for all but two one-hour periods each day.
He will also be allowed to take one of his children to school.
Mr Justice Mitting said it would take "between a few days and about a week" for the Security Service (MI5) to check the proposed bail address, which was not revealed by the court, before Qatada can be released.
The judge also ruled that the Home Secretary has three months to show progress is being made in negotiations with Jordan or restrictions on Qatada's liberty may not be acceptable any longer.
Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Muslim hate cleric Abu Qatada freed from jail
The cleric is due to be released within days despite posing a risk to national security, Mr Justice Mitting ruled at a hearing o the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Lawyers of Home Secretary Theresa May have battled to keep Qatada behind bars while British diplomats continue to seek assurances from the Jordanian authorities that evidence gained through torture would not be used against him.
Ed Fitzgerald QC, representing Qatada, told an immigration judge in central London that Qatada had now been held for six-and-a-half years while fighting deportation.
He told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) that that was "against a background of almost nine years detention without charges on the grounds of national security".
Mr Fitzgerald said: "The detention has now gone on for too long to be reasonable or lawful and there is no prospect of the detention ending in any reasonable period.
"However the risk of absconding, however the risk of further offending, there comes a point when it's just too long.
"There comes a time when it's just too long, however grave the risks."
Qatada is expected to be released next week.
The bail conditions will be similar to those set in 2008, with Qatada confined to his home for all but two one-hour periods each day.
He will also be allowed to take one of his children to school.
Mr Justice Mitting said it would take "between a few days and about a week" for the Security Service (MI5) to check the proposed bail address, which was not revealed by the court, before Qatada can be released.
The judge also ruled that the Home Secretary has three months to show progress is being made in negotiations with Jordan or restrictions on Qatada's liberty may not be acceptable any longer.
Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Muslim hate cleric Abu Qatada freed from jail
