A suspected terrorist who is subject to a control order is being prevented from studying for high school courses in chemistry and human biology. This is thought to be the first case in the UK of restrictions on academic study being included in a control order.

Control orders are legal instruments to restrict the activities and liberty of individuals for the purpose of "protecting members of the public from a risk of terrorism". In this case an Iraqi national known only as A.E. is subject to a list of restrictions 15 pages long including a 16-hour curfew, limits on where he can work, who he can meet and where he can go. Nationally, 14 people are currently subject to control orders.

A.E.'s order initially lasted for 12 months but was renewed for another year during a secret hearing he was not entitled to attend. He was represented at the hearing by a barrister appointed as his "special advocate", although he was not allowed to meet or discuss the case with this person