An individual known as XX who poses a threat to national security will be deported to Ethiopia, a court ruled today.
Extremist activities
The Special Immigration Appeals Court heard that the Ethiopian national had attended an extremist camp in the UK, visited Somalia for extremist purposes and was closely associated with those involved in the attempted London bombings on 21 July 2005.
Theresa May said: ‘I am delighted that the court has agreed with us that it is safe to return this individual to Ethiopia. This man clearly poses a threat to our national security and I want him out of the UK as soon as possible.’
Diplomatic agreement
This was a test case for ‘deportations with assurance’, a practice which sees individuals who could not ordinarily be deported - due to risk of human rights violations - being returned with diplomatic agreement that they will not face danger.
Today’s verdict means the UK’s arrangement with Ethiopia has now been successfully tested and can be used again. The UK also has deportation with assurance arrangements with Algeria and Jordon.
International co-operation
The Home Secretary commented: ‘This ruling also upholds our Deportation with Assurances arrangement with Ethiopia and the British Government continues to appreciate the co-operation received from the Ethiopian authorities on Deportation with Assurances.
‘I hope that we can now see more of these arrangements so that we can remove as many suspected terrorists from this country as possible.’
XX may now take his case to the Court of Appeal. In the meantime, he remains on strict bail conditions.