LONDON (AP) -- A terror suspect who is subject to severe restrictions on his movements launched a furious outburst in court Wednesday in which he threatened to take his own life. Lawyers for Mahmoud Suliman Ahmed Abu Rideh argue that the restrictions imposed on their client contravene the European Convention on Human Rights. Government attorneys contend the measures are needed to prevent him from engaging in "potentially harmful activities."On the third day of hearings at the High Court into the legality of the so-called control orders, Abu Rideh interrupted proceedings and threatened to kill himself.
No skin off my fore. Would you like to borrow my pocket knife?
Told by the judge that he would be removed from the court room unless he kept silent, Abu Rideh went into a tirade. Standing at the back of the court, Abu Rideh said, "I have no human rights in this country. Kill me like they killed Saddam (Hussein). See how many people Blair and Bush have killed!" he exclaimed, referring to President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair. "Do you want me to kill myself?"
SighÂ…If only it was that easy AbuÂ…if only.
| Was that a trick question? |
Abu Rideh was among 10 people released in 2005 under a new anti-terror law that allows terror suspects to be electronically tagged and required to live under 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfews in private homes where they are denied the use of telephones or the Internet and must apply to the government to talk to outsiders.
Ohhh...the humanity!
Prosecutors claimed that Abu Rideh, a Palestinian who came to Britain in 1995 and was granted refugee status, was involved with associates of Osama bin Laden in Britain and abroad before being arrested in 2001. Abu Rideh has acknowledged spending time in Afghanistan, but has said he was involved with welfare projects, not terrorism.
| Just spreading money around for the Widows Ammunition Fund. |
Sadly, in Yurrup, they prolly have a good cause for that assertion.
The court was expected to hear testimony including "national security" evidence - to be heard in private - and medical evidence on how the restrictions have affected Abu Rideh.