British terror suspect hospitalised after overdose

One of ten terrorist suspects placed under controversial "control orders" in Britain was admitted to hospital at the weekend …

One of ten terrorist suspects placed under controversial "control orders" in Britain was admitted to hospital at the weekend after taking an overdose of pills, a High Court judge was told today.

Mahmoud Suliman Ahmed Abu Rideh was detained as an international terror suspect on December 19, 2001.

He was accused of being involved in fundraising and distribution of money for terror groups linked to al-Qaeda.

The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac), which hears appeals from those detained under the British government's emergency anti-terror powers, heard earlier this year that he had received outpatient psychiatric treatment since his arrival in Britain for self-harm, anger, shouting and tearing his clothes.

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A consultant forensic psychiatrist at Broadmoor described the detainee's rapid deterioration after his detention in Belmarsh.

On January 31st this year, Siac granted him bail in principle but bail conditions had to be set.

Separately, Abu Rideh gave a statement to a Mental Health Review Tribunal at Broadmoor earlier this month in which he issued an impassioned account of his captivity under the controversial laws.

In a lengthy statement in broken English, he spoke of going on hunger strike, feeling depressed and wanting to commit suicide while detained.