Judge overturns control order on suicidal terror suspect

Staff and agencies
Wednesday April 4, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

The high court today overturned a control order imposed on a terrorist suspect who threatened to kill himself in front of a judge.

Lawyers for the Palestinian refugee Mahmoud Abu Rideh said the severe restrictions imposed on his daily life under the order amounted to "inhuman and degrading treatment" and were affecting his mental health.

Today's ruling is the latest control order to be overturned by the high court, forcing the home secretary, John Reid, to impose less restrictive orders he believes offer the public weaker protection against terrorist suspects.

"Its cumulative effects in my judgment deprive [Mr Abu Rideh] of liberty, and the secretary of state has no power to make such an order," judge Mr Justice Beatson said as he quashed the control order first imposed by Charles Clarke in March 2005 and renewed a year later.

Mr Abu Rideh's restrictions include a 12-hour curfew, no internet access and a ban on visits from anyone the Home Office has not approved...