Radical preacher Abu Qatada wins appeal

Radical Muslim preacher Abu Qatada on Monday won his appeal against deportation from Britain to Jordan to face terrorism charges.

The decision represents a setback to the British government, which has been trying to get Abu Qatada removed from British soil for years.

Home Office officials say they strongly disagree with the ruling and planned to appeal.

The Special Immigration Appeals Commission on Monday blocked the deportation, saying it was not convinced by the government’s assurances that no evidence obtained through torture would be used against Abu Qatada in Jordan.

The judges said that the British government “has not satisfied us that ...there is no real risk” that statements obtained under torture would not be used at a trial of the suspected terrorist in Jordan.

The Palestinian-born Jordanian cleric, whose real name is Omar Mahmoud Mohammed Othman, has been convicted in absentia in Jordan over bomb plots and faces retrial if extradited.