HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- Al-Qaida suspect 'hidden by UK
agents'
Vikram
Dodd
Monday July 8, 2002 The Guardian The alleged spiritual leader of the
al-Qaida terrorist network is living with his wife and children in northern
England, in a safe house paid for by the intelligence services, it was claimed
yesterday.
Abu Qatada, a Muslim cleric believed by several European countries to be a
pivotal figure in international terrorism, disappeared from his west London home
in December, before a round up of alleged terrorist suspects. It was rumoured
that he had fled abroad.
Time magazine's sensational but bizarre claim is attributed to senior members
of European intelligence services.
The report says that Mr Qatada, claimed by some to be Osama bin Laden's
right-hand man in Europe, and his wife and family are being fed and clothed by
British intelligence.
Time quoted a senior European intelligence source as saying: "The deal is
that Abu Qatada is deprived of contact with extremists in London and Europe, but
can't be arrested or expelled because no one officially knows where he is."
The magazine says that the French authorities corroborated these claims.
Their source added: "The British win because the last thing they want is a hot
potato they can't extradite for fear of al-Qaida reprisals, but whose presence
contradicts London's support of the war on terror."
A British government official described the report as "crap" and added: "We
wouldn't give an awful lot of credence to it." A Home Office spokeswoman said
she could not comment on intelligence matters.
Videos of Mr Qatada's speeches were found in the Hamburg flat of Mohamed
Atta, who is believed to have been the leader of the September 11 hijackers.
Mr Qatada, 40, settled in London with his wife and four children eight years
ago when he was given asylum after claiming that he had been persecuted in
Jordan for his religious beliefs.
In his absence he was convicted in Jordan of funding a bombing campaign, and
sentenced to 15 years in jail.
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