Alleged Qaeda terrorist freed to walk in the park

London, Jan.16 (ANI): An alleged al-Qaeda terrorist said to be connected to Osama bin Laden has been freed to take regular walks in a park to stop him developing a fear of open spaces.

According to The Telegraph, the unnamed man was arrested in connection with separate plots to blow up Los Angeles airport and the Christmas market in Strasbourg and is said to have "direct links to Osama bin Laden and other senior al-Qaeda figures".The government says he is a "leading organiser and facilitator of terrorist activity" and is trying to have him deported to his native Algeria but the Telegraph revealed last year that he was to be released on bail and put under a 24-hour curfew.

His bail conditions, similar to a control order, have now been varied to allow him twice weekly walks, for one hour, in a local park in a south coast town and go to a cafe, accompanied by one of four named supporters who have been given security clearance by MI5.

The man's legal team claimed he was suffering from high blood pressure and was in danger of becoming agoraphobic - scared of open spaces - as he had not been outside often enough.

The Security Service objected to the proposal but a judge at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) ruled against them. (ANI)