A pilot wrongly accused of training some of the September 11 hijackers, should be allowed to claim compensation, the High Court ruled today.

Algerian Lotfi Raissi, 33, was held in a British jail for five months over allegations he had trained the 19 extremists.

The government had previously refused his claim for compensation, which is estimated to be at least £60,000.

Speaking outside court today, Mr Raissi said: "My treatment has been a disgrace but I have always had faith in the British justice system.

"I wept with relief when I heard the judgment. I have always said that I believed in British justice and I finally got it today.

"Surely I can expect to hear from the Home Secretary with the long-awaited apology very soon."

He said his wrongful arrest had ruined his life and left him blacklisted as a pilot and unable to work.

"They destroyed my life, they destroyed my career.

"For this I will never, ever forgive them," he said.

He added: "I abhor terrorism in any shape or form."

Commenting on the ruling, the Ministry of Justice said: "We are considering the implications and whether or not to appeal."

Mr Raissi was arrested at his UK home ten days after the September 11 attacks on allegations he was the "lead instructor" for pilots responsible for the September 11 hijackings.

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