London Loses Legal Battle Over Afghan Hijackers

(RFE/RL) August 4, 2006 -- The British government today lost its latest legal battle over nine Afghans who hijacked a plane in Afghanistan six years ago and forced it to fly to London.

Immigration authorities have allowed the men to stay in Britain ever since, saying their lives could be in danger if they were sent home.

The government wants to bar them from working, but an appeals court today ruled it would be wrong to do so.

(Reuters, AP)