LONDON, March 9 (UPI) -- A Muslim cleric who had ties to al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden was arrested at his home in Britain for allegedly violating bail conditions, authorities said.
A police anti-terrorism unit took Abu Qatada, 52, into custody Friday night following an extensive search of his home in north London, the Home Office confirmed.
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Qatada is wanted on terrorism charges in Jordan and had been under house arrest in the taxpayer funded residence since November.
The Daily Telegraph said Britain recently stepped up its efforts to deport Qatada, who was once described as bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe and was featured in videos found in an apartment used by one of the Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaida terrorist attackers.
