'Al-Qaeda case' appeal rejected

The case came before the High Court in Belfast

The High Court in Belfast has turned down a request by a man with suspected al-Qaeda links for his own interpreter at police interviews.

Abbas Boutrab, a 25-year-old Algerian, has been held by detectives since Monday when he was arrested at Maghaberry prison.

Mr Justice Kerr told the court on Friday that it was a serious case in which "the most grave crimes are under investigation".

He disagreed with the defence's contention that it was "catastrophic" that the Algerian could not have his chosen interpreter alongside one provided by the police.

Mr Justice Kerr suggested the interpreter could be asked to provide literal as well as "liberal" translation during police interviews.

Mr Boutrab's lawyers had applied for an temporary order to allow a second interpreter.

Mr Justice Kerr granted leave for his solicitors to apply for a judicial review of the police's decision on Thursday, but that would take several weeks to prepare.

The court heard on Thursday that a search of his house in Newtownabbey had turned up computer discs containing thousands of pages of Arabic script which appeared to relate to al-Qaeda terrorism.

A 72-hour extension given to police in Northern Ireland questioning Mr Boutrab is due to end on Saturday, but this can be extended until Monday.

Police have not revealed at what time the extension will end or whether or not the man will be charged.