UK tribunal frees 4 terrorism suspects on bail

British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says she's disappointed that a London court has freed four suspected terrorists on bail.

The Special Immigration Appeals Tribunal said on Friday that three Algerian men and one Jordanian man could be released on bail. All four had previously been held pending deportation to their homelands.

Smith said the men must be deported as they pose a threat to national security. She said she fears they might try to flee. Prosecutors accuse the men of having links to terrorist organizations. None of the suspects will face trial in the U.K. Judge John Mitting said a fifth man, an Algerian, must remain in custody prior to his deportation.

First Published: Feb 27, 2009 23:13 IST