MONTREAL (CP) - A suspected terrorist who was released on bail after 21 months' detention said Monday he welcomes the chance to attack the controversial security certificate that ordered him jailed.

Adil Charkaoui, who was freed on $50,000 bail last week, was back in Federal Court for a review of the security certificate issued against him.

"We have the chance to show this certificate is unreasonable," he said outside the court after proceedings wrapped for the day.

The certificate, a provision of the Immigration Act, means most of the evidence against him is known only by the government and the judge.

Charkaoui, who is accused of having links to the al-Qaida terrorist organization, said it is "absurd" to detain someone based on evidence that is kept secret and ends up with the detainee's name being dragged through the media.

"I'm free, I'm happy," he said. "There are four other people in Ontario who are suffering, their families are suffering enormously. It's been four years since they were incarcerated without charge.

"I hope to help to free these men."

Two burly plainclothes RCMP officers kept an eye on Charkaoui from the back of the courtroom during proceedings. Charkaoui is awaiting the installation of an electronic monitoring bracelet as a condition of his release.

"There were none on special at Wal-Mart," he quipped when asked outside about the device. "Maybe Canadian Tire."

The mood inside court was less light as a high-ranking intelligence officer was questioned and then cross-examined about terrorist threats to Canada.

The agent of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, who was only identified as Jean-Paul because of national security considerations, spoke in generalities about why Canada could be threatened by networks such as al-Qaida.

Asked about theories advanced by some - including Charkaoui - that the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were the result of a right-wing conspiracy, Jean-Paul said the idea was "ridiculous."

Under questioning, he also said al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden had declared Canada a target in two edicts issued in 1998 and 2002, the latter because of Canada's support of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan.

Charkaoui, who was originally detained in May 2003, has denied any links to terrorists.

But jailed millennium bomber Ahmed Ressam and terrorist Abou Zubaida, also in detention in the United States, identified him as the man they met at a training camp in Afghanistan in 1998.

Outside court, Charkaoui's lawyer Dominque Larochelle had little comment on the case.

"We are very optimistic," she said.

Charkaoui, 31, spent his first weekend of freedom under police supervision. Police showed up at his house early Saturday, alerted him to their presence because of his lack of a monitoring device and remained parked outside his residence.

A supporter said Charkaoui nursed an illness over the weekend but managed to see friends and do a bit of shopping.

"I spent it with my family, with my children," he said. "I enjoyed every moment with my wife and baby."

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