London: Jordanian medic Mohammed Asha, who
was accused of conspiracy in the London and Glasgow bomb plots
before being exonerated by a jury, will not be deported to his
native country, official sources said today.
The British government, which still maintains that the
doctor posed a threat to national security, has decided to
withdraw its case against him before the Special Immigration
Appeals Commission, they said. The next hearing was scheduled
to be held in October.
At the last hearing in January, lawyers for the Home
Secretary said Dr Asha was a threat to national security and
should be sent back to Jordan.
The Home Office had said that Asha had provided
"substantial funds" to Iraqi doctor Bilal Abdulla, who was
sentenced to 32 years in prison for conspiracy to murder in
connection with the plot.
Abdulla, along with Kafeel Ahmed, an Indian hailing from
Bengaluru who died in the attacks, plotted to kill hundreds of
people by planting two bombs in the West End in June 2007.
When that failed, they drove a jeep packed with petrol bombs
and gas canisters into a terminal building at Glasgow Airport.
Asha, who was arrested a day after the failed Glasgow
attack, was accused of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to
cause explosions but was cleared by the jury at Woolwich Crown
Court in December last year.
According to his lawyer, Asha is determined to resume his
career in the National Health Service.
Bureau Report
