Jordan on Sunday detained hardline Muslim cleric Abu Qatada, hours after his arrival from Britain, where he lost a decade-long legal battle to avoid extradition, dpa reported.
The Military State Security Court ordered Abu Qatada detained for 15 days pending further investigation into his involvement in a foiled terrorist plot that resulted in the 53-year-old being handed a life sentence in absentia in 1999, the Jordanian state prosecutor said.
Abu Qatada was transferred to the desert prison of Muwaqqar, south of the capital, Amman, security sources said.
He is set to post bail Monday and file an appeal, his attorney Tayseer Thiab said outside the court.
The Bethlehem-born hardliner landed in Amman early Sunday, accompanied by British security officials and a Jordanian legal advocate. He had spent several years in and out of prison in Britain for suspected links to the al-Qaeda terrorist network starting in 2002.
An agreement signed by Britain and Jordan last month paved the way for the cleric's extradition after the European Court of Human Rights last year overturned a decision by British authorities to deport him over concerns that he might face ill treatment while in Jordanian custody.
Jordanian officials stressed Sunday that Abu Qatada would receive "full and fair due process" in Jordan, dismissing claims by activists that the cleric might face torture during his detention.
"Abu Qatada's full legal and human rights will be respected as any Jordanian citizen," government spokesman Mohammed Momani said.
Meanwhile, dozens of people gathered in front of the Jordanian cabinet offices to protest the detention of Abu Qatada, who was once labelled Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe.
The Military State Security Court sentenced Abu Qatada to life in prison with hard labour for involvement in a terrorist plot targeting sites frequented by Westerners in Amman and for providing funding to extremist groups.