Second al Qaeda suspect goes free

LONDON – An Algerian accused by Britain of links to Osama bin Laden and bomb plots in the United States and France has been freed on bail after more than seven years in prison, a spokeswoman for a British tribunal said yesterday.

The man, who under legal restrictions can be identified only as “U”, is the second senior militant suspect to be freed since mid-June. While the government says they are dangerous, it lacks enough evidence to put them on trial and has so far failed in legal battles to get them deported, although its case to expel U is still going through the courts.The last major suspect to be freed, Jordanian Abu Qatada, has been confined to his home for 22 hours a day and forbidden from using any mobile telephone or connecting to the Internet since his release last month.Nampa-ReutersWhile the government says they are dangerous, it lacks enough evidence to put them on trial and has so far failed in legal battles to get them deported, although its case to expel U is still going through the courts.The last major suspect to be freed, Jordanian Abu Qatada, has been confined to his home for 22 hours a day and forbidden from using any mobile telephone or connecting to the Internet since his release last month.Nampa-Reuters