Jailed Islamic cleric Qatada linked to al Qaeda
April 20th, 2009 - 2:52 pm ICT by ANILondon, Apr 20 (ANI): For the first time, the jailed radical Islamic cleric Abu Qatada has been linked to terrorist organisation al-Qaeda by one of the terror group’s own leaders.
Adil al-Abbab, revealed recently as Osama Bin Laden’s head of religious affairs in Saudi Arabia, said: “Free our prisoners and the prisoners of the Muslims. O Allah! Free Sheikh Abu Qatada.”
Qatada, long suspected of being the network’s top European envoy, was respectfully referred to as “Sheikh” which denotes leadership, The Sun reports.
A UK security source said of the web rant: “This is clearly an own goal. These calls for his freedom from a senior al-Qaeda figure end any doubt about his significance to Bin Laden.”
Qatada, 48, is behind bars fighting the Home Secretary’s decision to boot him out of Britain.
He has always dodged questions about his connections to al-Qaeda, but he is wanted in Jordan on terror charges.
Qatada is appealing to Europe against the decision to deport him. (ANI)
- Osama top aide not to be deported from Britain - Jan 17, 2012
- 35 Guantanamo detainees trained as terrorists in London - Apr 26, 2011
- Osama Bin Laden still alive, in touch with al-Qaeda, claims al- Zawahiri - Feb 26, 2011
- Al-Qaeda had been one of most lethal organisations under bin-Laden: Study - May 04, 2011
- Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden releases statement to the American people - Jun 15, 2010
- US attempt to 'assassinate' Osama bin Laden thwarted: Al-Qaeda - Feb 10, 2011
- Osama's death major setback for Al Qaeda: Merkel - May 02, 2011
- Osama's Sudanese cook to walk free in 2012 after sentence reduced to two years - Feb 10, 2011
- Prayers for rain performed across UAE - Dec 31, 2011
- Al-Qaeda 'plotted to take hostages in Mumbai-style attacks on Britain' - Oct 29, 2010
- Osama death: Al-Qaeda down but not out, says former Oz foreign minister - May 02, 2011
- `Osama dead but Al Qaeda still dangerous' (Lead) - Apr 30, 2012
- Al-Qaeda calls for terror attack on crowded Washington restaurant at lunch hour - Oct 12, 2010
- Killing of Osama bin Laden has rehabilitated reputation of US Government, officials - May 04, 2011
- al-Qaeda leadership confirms Bin Laden is dead, says it will release audio recording - May 06, 2011
Tags: abu qatada, al qaeda, allah, doubt, european envoy, home secretary, islamic cleric, jordan, leadership, muslims, osama bin laden, prisoners, religious affairs, saudi arabia, security source, sheikh abu, terror charges, terror group, terrorist organisation, uk security