Abu Qatada 'pleads not guilty' to Jordan terror charges

The trial of Abu Qatada was adjourned until Christmas Eve, following his objection to the presence of a military judge in the three-judge tribunal.

The radical cleric said the make-up of the judicial panel violates an agreement with Britain which paved way for his extradition and was meant to guarantee him a fair trial in his homeland.

He is charged with plotting terror attacks against Israelis, Americans and other Westerners in Jordan in two foiled attempts in 1999 and 2000.

In both cases, Abu Qatada was convicted in absentia and sentenced to life in prison.

But on his return from the UK in July, those sentences were suspended and he has to be re-tried under Jordanian law.

Read: Abu Qatada demands civilian trial in Jordan

Abu Qatada, the radical cleric on trial in Jordan, has challenged the Jordanian authorities over the make-up of the judicial panel.

According to media reports, he protested against a military judge on the panel.

Mr Qatada said this was against the assurances given to him at the time he was fighting his deportation from the UK.

He said Jordanian authorities said the court would be independent and civilian.

His lawyer quoted a formal letter from the authorities to foreign secretary William Hague, which was part of the new treaty between Jordan and the UK.

The trial was adjourned in consideration of these claims until Christmas Eve.

Read: Abu Qatada leaves Britain after a near decade-long battle

Abu Qatada, the radical cleric on trial in Jordan, pleads not guilty to terrorism charges, BBC reports.

Qatada was deported from the UK in July.

The trial of radical cleric Abu Qatada is expected to begin today in Jordan. Qatada is to face terrorism charges following his deportation from the UK in July.

He is accused of involvement in a series of bombings in 1998 and a terrorist plot that was foiled in 2000.

Following a near decade-long battle against deportation, it was a treaty signed between the UK and Jordan earlier this year that finally secured Qatada's departure, giving the radical preacher the assurances he needed to leave his taxpayer-funded home behind.

The agreement, announced by the Home Secretary earlier this year, aimed to allay fears that evidence extracted through torture would not be used against the father-of-five at his trial.