The extremist preacher will be banned from holding lengthy conversations with anyone beyond his immediate family and will not be allowed to leave his home for 22 hours a day. He is prohibited from using a mobile phone, computer or the internet.
Officials hope that the measures will prove temporary as a Home Office minister prepares to fly to Jordan, where Qatada has been convicted in his absence of terrorism-related offences.
The UK has been blocked from deporting the 51-year-old Islamist cleric, after the European Court of Human Rights ruled he might not receive a fair trial in Jordan.
The courts have described Qatada as a “dangerous risk”. He is specifically not allowed any contact with 27 people, including al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Under the bail conditions, if he meets an acquaintance in a chance encounter, he "must, after any initial greeting, disengage himself from the situation”.
Another condition stops the extremist from leading prayers, giving lectures or preaching, other than to offer advice to his wife and children at his home.
David Cameron, the Prime Minister, is under mounting pressure to find a way of deporting Qatada, even if it means defying the European Court. » | Monday, February 13, 2012
