Following an earlier, similar case, involving Yasin Kadi (a Saudi businessman), the European Court of Justice has found in favour of Abu Qatada, who appealed against the freezing of all his assets by the British Government. The European Court found that Abu Qatada's human rights had been breached since he had not been informed of the charges against him or given the opportunity to mount a defence. "The ruling today means that Qatada, currently being held in a top security prison pending deportation, will regain access to his accounts and any other assets in two months and ten days if the British Government does not appeal. Abu Qatada has been described as Osama bin Laden's "spiritual ambassador" to Europe.
