Algerian detainees 'face torture'

Most of the arrests were made in raids in London

Deporting seven men detained for national security reasons to Algeria could lead to their torture, lawyers for the group have claimed.

The north African country cannot be relied upon to respect international agreements, said Gareth Peirce.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke said he ordered the group's detention following "detailed submissions" from police.

Sources said the men were Algerian and the majority were among the eight men cleared of involvement in a ricin plot.

'Hideously tortured'

The UK has taken steps towards reaching agreements about the treatment of deportees with countries considered to have a poor human rights record.

One sees the marks on him, once can't talk to him without him coming close to fainting describing it Gareth Peirce

Jordan has already agreed not to mistreat or sentence to death anyone deported from Britain.

The Home Office said it was "pursuing memoranda of understanding similar to the one agreed with Jordan with other countries, including in North Africa".

Ms Peirce said Algeria could not be relied upon to adhere to such an agreement and that one of the men had already been "hideously tortured" there in the past.

"One sees the marks on him, one can't talk to him without him coming close to fainting describing it," she said.

"And the Home Office itself guaranteed him indefinite leave to remain on the basis he had been tortured. They are trading here with the devil."

Civil rights group Liberty said it was "very concerned" as international observers and the United Nations had "repeatedly pointed out violations of human rights by Algeria".

No evidence

Thursday morning's raids saw six men held in London and one in Manchester, by police and Immigration Service officers under powers allowing deportation for national security reasons.

The man detained in Manchester was being held at maximum security HMP Full Sutton, while the six held in London were taken to category B HMP Long Lartin.

Of the eight men cleared of involvement in the alleged ricin plot in April, four were tried and found not guilty and a further four were acquitted after the prosecution offered no evidence against them.

Another man, Kamel Bourgass, 31, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of plotting to spread the substance and other poisons on UK streets, and jailed for 17 years.