Radical cleric Abu Qatada has pleaded not guilty to charges of terrorism at a retrial in Jordan, saying he does not recognise the court in which he’s being tried.<br /><br />Originally sentenced in absence to life imprisonment, Qatada has the right to a retrial under Jordanian law if he is present in the dock. <br /><br />Qatada was granted asylum in the UK in 1994, then deported in 2013 following his suspected involvement in bombings in 1998 and a foiled terrorist plot in 2000. <br /><br />His deportation to Jordan was granted on condition that he would be given a fair trial in the country’s controversial State Security Court. <br /><br />Before deciding Qatada’s fate, senior High Court judges in London heard that Jordan told London three times that the judges in Jordan would be independent and civilian, rather than military. <br /><br />A treaty was also drawn up banning the use of torture and putting the wheels in motion for Qatada’s deportation. <br /><br />However, Qatada claims Jordan has broken the terms of their agreement with the UK and refuses to accept the legitimacy of the Jordanian court.
