Jordanian cleric Abu Qatadaâ„¢s lawyer has told a London court that his client will return to Jordan voluntarily if the countryâ„¢s government ratifies a treaty with Britain that ensures he will receive a fair trial.
Qatada’s barrister Edward Fitzgerald QC made the announcement during a hearing to consider the preacher’s appeal to be released from his latest stint in prison, arguing that the Muslim cleric wants to spend time with his family before returning to his home country, Jordan.
“If and when the Jordanian parliament ratifies the treaty he will voluntarily return to Jordan,” Fitzgerald told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC).
Britainâ„¢s Home Secretary Theresa May had announced a new treaty with Jordan on April 24. The treaty is designed to ensure that the Jordanian cleric will face a trial without the use of evidence obtained by torture.
Abu Qatada was detained in October 2002 under anti-terrorism laws that authorized imprisonment of suspected terrorists without any charges.
He was released from Long Lartin jail under strict bail conditions in November 2012, returning to his family home in London.
British justice system has accused Qatada of being linked to al-Qaeda and threatening the countryâ„¢s national security, but no charges have been introduced against him.
MOS/HE
This article originally appeared on : Press TV