"It's really theater of the absurd, " says Edward FitzGerald, a former FBI agent who won the position of Cuyahoga County executive after fed-up residents here disbanded the old county commission form of government under Mr. Dimora.

WSJ: Show Trial: Puppets Act Out Corruption Case

Edward Fitzgerald QC, counsel for the cleric, repeatedly said the UK had achieved nothing new to satisfy Strasbourg's expectations.

BBC: Analysis: A very difficult decision on Abu Qatada

Edward Fitzgerald QC, appearing for the cleric, argued the Siac ruling was right and there was "concrete and compelling evidence" that his co-defendants were tortured into providing evidence.

BBC: Abu Qatada deportation decision due