It is unlikely that terror suspect Abu Qatada would receive a fair trial in Jordan if deported, a tribunal heard.
The radical cleric, described by a judge as Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, is fighting extradition to the Middle East country where he was convicted of terror charges in his absence in 1999. Qatada was allowed to stay in Britain in 1994.
Professor Beverley Milton-Edwards, who has studied Jordan's political situation for 25 years, told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) in London that Qatada remained a "controversial" and "prominent" figure in Jordan and a fair trial was unlikely.
She said: "In my view I don't believe there is any credible evidence that the state security court has engaged in a significant amount of reform to have any confidence of him having a fair trial. In my view looking at the evidence...it's unlikely that he will be acquitted."
Professor Milton-Edwards said the country's human rights compliance has not improved over the years, adding: "Jordan has a very, very poor record of human rights compliance. In fact there has been a roll-back rather than an improvement (of human rights compliance).
"I haven't been able to find credible evidence...of any change. This is an unprecedented period of instability."
The 51-year-old Qatada is facing a retrial on terror charges after Home Secretary Theresa May was given assurances by Jordan that no evidence gained through torture would be used against him.
Lawyers for the Government have told the hearing that he is "scraping the barrel" in the appeal against his deportation.
Qatada, who is said to have wide and high-level support among extremists, featured in hate sermons found on videos in the flat of one of the September 11 bombers. He has challenged and ultimately thwarted every attempt by the Government over the last decade to put him on a plane.
In December 2001, Qatada became one of Britain's most wanted men after going on the run from his home in Acton, west London. In October 2002, he was arrested by police in a council house in south London and detained in Belmarsh high-security jail. The hearing continues.
UK 
