London ? A British tribunal granted bail Thursday to four Algerian terrorist suspects facing extradition, a ruling that was condemned by a government official who said the men represent a threat to national security.

The four men, whose names were not released, were detained in August as part of an anti-terrorist crackdown that followed London’s transit bombings in July. The bail conditions set will restrict the men’s movements, amounting to virtual house arrest.

They were among 10 suspects who had applied for bail to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, an immigration tribunal.

The tribunal ordered the four released pending the outcome of appeals against their detentions. Five other suspects had their bail applications turned down. The only one of those five identified was Abu Qatada, a Jordanian cleric once described by a Spanish judge as Osama bin Laden’s “spiritual ambassador in Europe.”

The commission’s chairman, High Court judge Duncan Ousely, said the tribunal agreed with the government that Qatada might flee if released.

A 10th man had his case adjourned.