Image caption Abu Qatada has been in the UK for two decades

Immigration judges are to decide whether radical cleric Abu Qatada should be released from custody at a hearing this week.

His bail application is due to be heard on Friday, the Judicial Office said.

Abu Qatada, whom the government wants to deport to Jordan to face terror charges, was arrested in March for alleged bail breaches.

The breach concerned the use of communications equipment at his home and he is currently in Belmarsh prison.

Scotland Yard said Abu Qatada, who was living at a secret location with his family before his arrest, was being investigated over suspected extremist material obtained from a range of sources, including online.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We will strongly resist this application to release Qatada on bail. We believe he poses a real risk to national security and should remain behind bars."

The bail hearing, before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac), is part of a long-running legal battle. Abu Qatada is fighting deportation to Jordan, where his lawyers claim he would not get a fair trial.

Last year, Siac, which adjudicates on national security-related deportations, ruled Abu Qatada should not be removed from the UK because of fears that evidence obtained through torture would be used against him in Jordan.

The government lost an appeal against the ruling and it also failed in its bid to get the case referred to the Supreme Court. Home Secretary Teresa May will now apply directly to the Supreme Court for permission to challenge the ruling.

Last month, the government signed a mutual assistance treaty with Jordan - including guarantees on fair trials. Home Secretary Theresa May says she believes the treaty will provide the courts with assurance that Abu Qatada would face a fair trial in Jordan.