Islamic cleric faces terrorism charges in Jordon

(Vatican Radio) Islamic cleric Abu Qatada arrived in Jordan on Sunday to face retrial on terrorism charges after his deportation from Britain.

Jordan’s extradition request for Qatada had been blocked in British and European courts for over a decade.

Jordanian and Western intelligence accuse Abu Qatada of being a key al-Qaida operative in Europe. He had been previously found guilty in absentia and sentenced to life in jail.

“I was absolutely delighted,” said British prime minister David Cameron about the development. “This is something this government said it would get done, and we have got it done.”

“It’s an issue that, like the rest of the country, has made my blood boil,” Cameron said. “This man who has no right to be in our country, who’s a threat to our country, and it took so long and was so difficult to deport him. But we’ve done it. He’s back in Jordon. That’s excellent news.”

Qatada is being held in a high security prison near the capital city of Amman.

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