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Britain To Deport Radical Cleric Abu Qatada


Radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada arriving at his home in London after being released on bail in November 2012.
Radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada arriving at his home in London after being released on bail in November 2012.
British newspapers have reported that radical Islamic cleric Abu Qatada will be deported from Britain to Jordan.

The "Times" reported that Qatada will leave on July 7, ending eight years of government efforts to send him home for trial.

Qatada, wanted in Jordan on charges of alleged terrorism, will be put on a special military flight at around midnight local time, according to the "Times."

The "Telegraph" said observers from a Jordanian human rights organization would accompany him.

British officials have yet to comment on the reports.

Qatada, who has been in and out of jail since first being arrested in 2001, was once described by a Spanish judge as "Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe."

He was sent back to prison last March for breaching his bail conditions.

With reporting by Reuters

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