Terror suspect is released

12 April 2012

A terror suspect said to have "direct links" with Osama bin Laden has been freed on bail after spending more than seven years in jail awaiting deportation.

The 45-year-old Algerian, who can be identified only by the initial "U", was released from Long Lartin high-security prison in Worcestershire.

A spokeswoman for the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) said: "As of today I can confirm he has been released."

It came just two weeks after firebrand preacher Abu Qatada was freed on bail by Siac.

The development followed a successful appeal to the Court of Appeal, which overturned Siac's earlier ruling that U could be deported to Algeria.

The Government has claimed in court that U was a leading organiser of a major terror group. His followers plotted to bomb the Christmas market in Strasbourg in 2000 and were also involved in an earlier plan to attack Los Angeles airport.

Siac concluded last year that there were "credible grounds" for believing the Government's claims that U had "direct links to Osama bin Laden" and held a "senior position" at a mujahedin training camp in Afghanistan.

The terror group formed and led by U had links with al Qaida, according to Siac, and was known by one of the names the suspect used in Afghanistan. But it cannot be referred to by journalists because of anonymity restrictions imposed by Siac.

The commission also banned publication of the exact details of his release and even the town where he will now live.

Another court order prohibits the public from seeing any photographs of U or anyone at his address.

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