"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

Mr al-Fawwaz's lawyer Edward Fitzgerald said a diplomatic cable existed which reportedly said the US was considering "de-listing of Mr Fawwaz" from a UN "terror list", and there was "evidence in the possession of M15 and MI6 that suggests that the claimant could not be guilty as alleged".

BBC: Terrorist suspect Abu Hamza

Edward Fitzgerald QC said Siac's finding was "entirely reasonable and rational" and came after a series of court decisions said confessions obtained by torture would be admitted in evidence.

BBC: Abu Qatada deportation ban can be lifted, judges told