Jordan court rejects bail for militant cleric

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — A Jordanian prosecutor says the country’s military court has refused a bail request by a radical Muslim preacher who was deported from Britain to be retried at home on terrorism charges.

The 53-year-old preacher was convicted in absentia of conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks against Israelis, Americans and other Westerners in Jordan in two alleged foiled plots in 1999 and 2000, but is receiving a new trial. He was deported from Britain to Jordan three weeks ago.

Abu Qatada’s lawyer, Tayseer Thiab, confirmed that the court rejected bail.

The prosecutor, who cannot be identified under court regulations, declined to elaborate on Sunday’s decision.

Suspects accused of serious crimes such as terrorism are rarely granted bail.