Radical Islamist Abu Qatada's retrial set for December 10 in Jordan

Jordan has set a trial date for radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada, deported by Britain following a 10-year legal battle, judicial sources said Tuesday. The trial is set for Dec. 10, Middle East Online reported. Britain deported Qatada after signing a treaty that would prevent evidence obtained using torture tactics from being admitted at trial, Middle East Online reported. Qatada is charged with conspiracy to carry out terrorist acts and if convicted, faces a minimum 15 years of hard labor. Qatada, who was born in Palestine, was absent when he was condemned to death on the same charges in 1999 for the attack on the American school in Amman. The sentence was later reduced to imprisonment with hard labor. In 2000, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for planning attacks on tourists in Jordan but was absent again. The law gives Qatada the right to be present at a retrial.