Britain's highest court on Wednesday ruled that detained radical Islamic cleric Abu Qatada can be deported to Jordan, where he has been convicted for involvement in two bombing attacks in 1998.
Earlier, an appeals court had blocked his deportation to Jordan on fears that he might be tortured there after Qatada successfully argued that he was convicted in an unfair trail in his absence.
However on Wednesday, the Law Lords, an elite group of members from Britain's upper house of parliament, overturned the appeals court ruling and permitted Qatada's extradition to Jordan, despite fears that he may be tortured there. The Law Lords also described Qatada as a "significant international terrorist" who posed a threat to national security.
Soon after the verdict was announced, British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith welcomed it, saying that she was delighted at the decision of the Law Lords.
"My top priority is to protect public safety and ensure national security and I have signed Abu Qatada's deportation order which will be served on him today," she said. "I am keen to deport this dangerous individual as soon as I can."
But, Qatada's lawyer Gareth Peirce said that she had lodged an application to the European Court of Human Rights against Qatada's deportation to Jordan, adding that he cannot be extradited until the appeal bid has been considered.
Qatada is considered to be one of the most influential radical Islamic preachers in Europe with direct links to Osama Bin Laden. He was arrested in Britain in 2002, following the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.
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