Abu Qatada has applied for bail and challenges the continued legality of his detention in proceedings being heard by Mr Justice Mitting, sitting as Chairman of SIAC and a Judge of the High Court.

These applications follow Abu Qatada’s success before the European Court of Human Rights, where it was held that his deportation would result in a violation of Article 6 on the basis that evidence that would be used by the Jordanian authorities in his retrial may have been obtained through the torture of his co-defendants. Angus McCullough QC acted as Abu Qatada’s special advocate in the domestic proceedings before SIAC, the Court of Appeal, and House of Lords.

He will appear again as special advocate at the hearing to consider his continued detention, which has been listed to be heard on 6 February 2012.

Angus McCullough QC also recently acted as special advocate for Ekaterina Zatuliveta, the Russian who was accused of being a spy, having been working as a parliamentary researcher for an MP, in her successful appeal against deportation.

Press coverage of Abu Qatada’s application can be viewed here.