by Jim Bronskill
Source: The Globe and Mail
URL: [link]
Date: December 10, 2010
A tearful Mohamed Harkat and his wife Sophie are vowing to press on with their marathon legal fight after a Federal Court ruling that declared the Ottawa man a threat to Canadian security.
Mr. Harkat told a news conference Friday that he was shaken by the decision, which brings him a significant step closer to deportation to his native Algeria. He plans to appeal.
“I can't sleep. I'm not thinking straight, I have pain in my stomach,” said Mr. Harkat, repeatedly dabbing at his eyes during the emotional session.
Mr. Harkat, a former gas station attendant and pizza delivery man, was arrested eight years ago Friday under a national security certificate on suspicion of being an al-Qaeda sleeper agent. He denies any involvement in terrorism.
Flanked by his lawyers and a clutch of supporters, Ms. Harkat called the ruling a “punch in the guts that will leave marks” for a long time.
“We will never, ever accept this judgment. We asked for the truth and this is not the truth,” she said.
“My husband will never admit to things he did not know, or admit knowing people he does not know.
“This fight is just beginning. I will stand by my husband till the end.”
[ Read the rest ... ]
Mohamed Harkat says he's devastated by court finding him a terror threat
posted on December 13, 2010 | in Category Mohamed Harkat | PermaLinkMohamed Harkat to fight ruling naming him a terrorist
posted on December 13, 2010 | in Category Mohamed Harkat | PermaLink
Source: BBC News
URL: [link]
Date: December 10, 2010
A Canadian man accused of being an al-Qaeda sleeper agent has vowed to challenge a court ruling that could see him deported to his native Algeria.
Mohamed Harkat told reporters he would be in danger there because Canada had dubbed him a terrorist.
His remarks came a day after a federal court found the former pizza delivery man a national security threat.
Mr Harkat's movement has been limited under strict bail conditions, under a rarely used national security law.
Lawyers for Mr Harkat told Canadian media he was devastated by the latest ruling and planned to appeal.
On Thursday, federal court Judge Simon Noel rejected Mr Harkat's bid to have the "national security certificate" quashed and his bail conditions lifted.
Relying on closed court proceedings, Judge Noel found that Mr Harkat had links to terrorist groups in Chechnya, Egypt and Pakistan.
'Security threat'
Mr Harkat, 42, "maintained contacts and assisted Islamist extremists, and used some methodologies typical of a 'sleeper agent'," Judge Noel wrote.
"There are reasonable grounds to believe Mohamed Harkat has engaged in terrorism, is a danger to the security of Canada and is a member of the Bin Laden Network."
Judge Noel wrote that Mr Harkat's defence had been inconsistent and "simply incoherent, implausible if not contradictory", and concluded that he posed a threat to Canada.
Canadian intelligence officials say Mr Harkat had ties to an Islamist terror group, operating a guesthouse in Pakistan for them before coming to Canada in 1995 on a forged Saudi passport.
In 2002, Canadian justice and immigration officials declared Mr Harkat inadmissible to Canada and said he was a security threat.
He was arrested and jailed for nearly four years, and since 2006 has been under virtual house arrest in the Ottawa area.
Canadian law permits the authorities to issue a national security certificate allowing the government to detain and deport non-citizens on security grounds without revealing all the evidence, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
[ Read the rest ... ]
Harkat interjettera appel
posted on December 12, 2010 | in Category Mohamed Harkat | PermaLink
Source: Radio-Canada
URL: [link]
Date: 10 décembre 2010
Les avocats de Mohamed Harkat ont confirmé vendredi qu'ils en appelleront du jugement de la Cour fédérale, qui a confirmé jeudi la validité du certificat de sécurité dont il fait l'objet, en raison de ses liens avec des terroristes et des extrémistes islamistes reconnus.
L'un de ses avocats, Norm Boxall, a soutenu que la décision n'était pas fondée sur des preuves, mais sur des informations secrètes qui ne peuvent être testées, notamment des insinuations et des ouï-dire.
Les avocats de Mohamed Harkat ont 15 jours pour contester des aspects précis du jugement du juge Simon Noël. Ce dernier devra décider si les arguments invoqués sont suffisants pour autoriser l'appel.
La femme de Mohamed Harkat, Sophie Harkat, avait auparavant pris la parole. Elle a affirmé, en larmes, que le jugement avait été un choc. Elle s'est dite atterrée et dégoûtée par cette décision, qu'elle n'attendait aucunement.
Elle soutient que la cause de son mari est motivée par des considérations politiques, et qu'elle se battra jusqu'au bout pour obtenir gain de cause.
=======================================
Nous n'accepterons jamais cela. Ce n'est pas la vérité.
— Sophie Harkat
=======================================
Jusqu'à nouvel ordre, Mohamed Harkat demeure en résidence surveillée à Ottawa. Il doit porter un bracelet électronique qui permet à la police de le suivre à la trace.
Une manifestation d'appui à Mohamed Harkat avait lieu vendredi midi, à Montréal. Elle s'est déroulée en présence d'Adil Charkaoui, dont le certificat de sécurité a été invalidé par un tribunal l'an dernier.
TOUS DROITS RÉSERVÉS © CBC/RADIO-CANADA 2010.
URL: [link]
Date: 10 décembre 2010
Les avocats de Mohamed Harkat ont confirmé vendredi qu'ils en appelleront du jugement de la Cour fédérale, qui a confirmé jeudi la validité du certificat de sécurité dont il fait l'objet, en raison de ses liens avec des terroristes et des extrémistes islamistes reconnus.
L'un de ses avocats, Norm Boxall, a soutenu que la décision n'était pas fondée sur des preuves, mais sur des informations secrètes qui ne peuvent être testées, notamment des insinuations et des ouï-dire.
Les avocats de Mohamed Harkat ont 15 jours pour contester des aspects précis du jugement du juge Simon Noël. Ce dernier devra décider si les arguments invoqués sont suffisants pour autoriser l'appel.
La femme de Mohamed Harkat, Sophie Harkat, avait auparavant pris la parole. Elle a affirmé, en larmes, que le jugement avait été un choc. Elle s'est dite atterrée et dégoûtée par cette décision, qu'elle n'attendait aucunement.
Elle soutient que la cause de son mari est motivée par des considérations politiques, et qu'elle se battra jusqu'au bout pour obtenir gain de cause.
=======================================
Nous n'accepterons jamais cela. Ce n'est pas la vérité.
— Sophie Harkat
=======================================
Jusqu'à nouvel ordre, Mohamed Harkat demeure en résidence surveillée à Ottawa. Il doit porter un bracelet électronique qui permet à la police de le suivre à la trace.
Une manifestation d'appui à Mohamed Harkat avait lieu vendredi midi, à Montréal. Elle s'est déroulée en présence d'Adil Charkaoui, dont le certificat de sécurité a été invalidé par un tribunal l'an dernier.
TOUS DROITS RÉSERVÉS © CBC/RADIO-CANADA 2010.
Letter of Support From National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)
posted on December 10, 2010 | in Category Letters of Support 2010 | PermaLink
by James Clancy, President of NUPGE
Date: December 10, 2010
Mohamed and Sophie Harkat
c/o Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee
14 Perkins St.
Ottawa, ON
K1R 7G5
Dear Mohamed and Sophie,
I am writing this to you on International Human Rights Day, a date that I am sure will be forever etched into your minds. It deeply saddens me that we spend yet another December 10th with Canada's justice system still conducting secret trials.
It also saddens me that Mohamed must continue to fight for a fair and open hearing in a Canadian court. I can only imagine the impact that this decision has had on you both. I do know that you will remain strong and dedicated to seeing justice finally done.
I want to assure you that despite the recent Federal Court decision declaring the "Reasonableness" of the Security Certificate against Mohamed, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) remains in opposition to secret trials in Canada.
The inability of an accused to challenge and question the evidence held against them is an affront to the fundamental principles of justice that my union holds dear. I believe that the current law will be found as unconstitutional as its predecessor was.
As in the past, the National Union remains committed to seeing justice done for Mohamed Harkat.
In solidarity,
James Clancy
National President
cc: Larry Brown,
National Secretary-Treasurer National Executive Board, NUPGE
Date: December 10, 2010
Mohamed and Sophie Harkat
c/o Justice for Mohamed Harkat Committee
14 Perkins St.
Ottawa, ON
K1R 7G5
Dear Mohamed and Sophie,
I am writing this to you on International Human Rights Day, a date that I am sure will be forever etched into your minds. It deeply saddens me that we spend yet another December 10th with Canada's justice system still conducting secret trials.
It also saddens me that Mohamed must continue to fight for a fair and open hearing in a Canadian court. I can only imagine the impact that this decision has had on you both. I do know that you will remain strong and dedicated to seeing justice finally done.
I want to assure you that despite the recent Federal Court decision declaring the "Reasonableness" of the Security Certificate against Mohamed, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) remains in opposition to secret trials in Canada.
The inability of an accused to challenge and question the evidence held against them is an affront to the fundamental principles of justice that my union holds dear. I believe that the current law will be found as unconstitutional as its predecessor was.
As in the past, the National Union remains committed to seeing justice done for Mohamed Harkat.
In solidarity,
James Clancy
National President
cc: Larry Brown,
National Secretary-Treasurer National Executive Board, NUPGE
Mohamed Harkat says he's 'devastated' by court finding him a terror threat
posted on December 10, 2010 | in Category Mohamed Harkat | PermaLink
by The Canadian Press
Source: The Winnipeg Free Press
URL: [link]
Date: December 10, 2010
OTTAWA - Mohamed Harkat says he's been "devastated" by a Federal Court ruling that calls him a security threat.
The Algerian-born Harkat says the decision's made him physically ill.
His tearful wife, Sophie, called the ruling a "punch in the guts" to her and her husband.
A Federal Court judge ruled Thursday that there are grounds to believe the Harkat is a security threat.
Judge Simon Noel said he believes Harkat maintained ties to Osama bin Laden's terror network after coming to Canada.
The decision could pave the way for Harkat's deportation to his native country.
Harkat's lawyers say much of the evidence Noel consulted remains secret and has never been tested through cross-examination.
Harkat said he was shaken by the ruling.
"I can't sleep. I'm not thinking straight. I have pain in my stomach."
He said he told the truth in his testimony.
"You go to the court and you explain yourself exactly what happened," he said.
"You're coming for this country to have life, to build yourself . . and all of a sudden you know you're attacked."
He said he was completely open in court.
"There is only two things, he is going to believe me (and) quash certificate or, on other things, he believe another party, the government and find me. . . . somebody has to pay the price. I pay the price."
© 2010 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved.
Source: The Winnipeg Free Press
URL: [link]
Date: December 10, 2010
OTTAWA - Mohamed Harkat says he's been "devastated" by a Federal Court ruling that calls him a security threat.
The Algerian-born Harkat says the decision's made him physically ill.
His tearful wife, Sophie, called the ruling a "punch in the guts" to her and her husband.
A Federal Court judge ruled Thursday that there are grounds to believe the Harkat is a security threat.
Judge Simon Noel said he believes Harkat maintained ties to Osama bin Laden's terror network after coming to Canada.
The decision could pave the way for Harkat's deportation to his native country.
Harkat's lawyers say much of the evidence Noel consulted remains secret and has never been tested through cross-examination.
Harkat said he was shaken by the ruling.
"I can't sleep. I'm not thinking straight. I have pain in my stomach."
He said he told the truth in his testimony.
"You go to the court and you explain yourself exactly what happened," he said.
"You're coming for this country to have life, to build yourself . . and all of a sudden you know you're attacked."
He said he was completely open in court.
"There is only two things, he is going to believe me (and) quash certificate or, on other things, he believe another party, the government and find me. . . . somebody has to pay the price. I pay the price."
© 2010 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved.
Harkat to fight security certificate ruling
posted on December 10, 2010 | in Category Mohamed Harkat | PermaLink
Source: CBC.ca
URL: [link]
Date: December 10, 2010
Wife calls Federal Court ruling 'load of bull'
[PHOTO: Mohamed Harkat wipes away tears on Friday. A Federal Court ruled this week there are reasonable grounds to believe the Algerian-born Ottawa resident remains a threat to national security.]
Mohamed Harkat and his family say they will fight "to the end" a Federal Court ruling that there are reasonable grounds to believe he remains a threat to national security.
Mohamed Harkat wipes away tears on Friday. A Federal Court ruled this week there are reasonable grounds to believe the Algerian-born Ottawa resident remains a threat to national security.Mohamed Harkat wipes away tears on Friday. A Federal Court ruled this week there are reasonable grounds to believe the Algerian-born Ottawa resident remains a threat to national security. (CBC) Thursday's ruling by Justice Simon Noel opens the door for the deportation of Harkat, who was arrested after Canada's spy agency, CSIS, alleged he was a sleeper agent for al-Qaeda.
On Friday, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said he was frustrated by the court process, suggesting it needs streamlining. He said he would like to remove terrorists as quickly as possible from Canada.
During a news conference earlier Friday with supporters and his wife Sophie, Harkat insisted his life is in danger if he is returned to his native country of Algeria now that the court has "put a stamp on my face [that] says 'terror.'"
Harkat, who has been living in Ottawa under virtual house arrest since 2002 due to a security certificate, again declared his innocence and said he feels "sick inside" after the ruling.
[ Read the rest ... ]
Les avocats de Mohamed Harkat iront en appel
posted on December 10, 2010 | in Category Mohamed Harkat | PermaLink
Source: Radio-Canada
URL: [link]
Date: 10 décembre 2010 à 12h15
[PHOTO: Mohamed Harkat pleure, sous les yeux de sa femme, Sophie Harkat]
Les avocats de Mohamed Harkat ont confirmé vendredi qu'ils en appelleront du jugement de la Cour fédérale, qui a confirmé jeudi la validité du certificat de sécurité dont il fait l'objet, en raison de ses liens avec des terroristes et des extrémistes islamistes reconnus.
L'un de ses avocats, Norm Boxall, a soutenu que la décision n'était pas fondée sur des preuves, mais sur des informations secrètes qui ne peuvent être testées, notamment des insinuations et des ouï-dire.
Les avocats de Mohamed Harkat ont 15 jours pour contester des aspects précis du jugement du juge Simon Noël. Ce dernier devra décider si les arguments invoqués sont suffisants pour autoriser l'appel.
La femme de Mohamed Harkat, Sophie Harkat, avait auparavant pris la parole. Elle a affirmé, en larmes, que le jugement avait été un choc. Elle s'est dite atterrée et dégoûtée par cette décision, qu'elle n'attendait aucunement.
Elle soutient que la cause de son mari est motivée par des considérations politiques, et qu'elle se battra jusqu'au bout pour obtenir gain de cause.
===========================================
Nous n'accepterons jamais cela. Ce n'est pas la vérité.
— Sophie Harkat
===========================================
Jusqu'à nouvel ordre, Mohamed Harkat demeure en résidence surveillée à Ottawa. Il doit porter un bracelet électronique qui permet à la police de le suivre à la trace. Une manifestation d'appui à Mohamed Harkat a lieu vendredi midi, à Montréal. Elle se déroule en présence d'Adil Charkaoui, dont le certificat de sécurité a été invalidé par un tribunal l'an dernier. TOUS DROITS RÉSERVÉS © CBC/RADIO-CANADA 2010
Harkat ‘still poses a danger to Canada,’ judge rules
posted on December 10, 2010 | in Category Mohamed Harkat | PermaLink
by Tonda MacCharles
Source: The Toronto Star
URL: [link]
Date: December 9, 2010
[PHOTO: Mohamed Harkat, middle, and his wife Sophie, right, wait outside Federal Court in Ottawa, in June, 2009. A federal court ruled Thursday there are reasonable grounds to declare Harkat a security threat, paving the way for his possible deportation.]
OTTAWA — Algerian-born Mohammed Harkat and his Canadian wife Sophie wept when they got word in his lawyers’ office that a judge has upheld CSIS claims he is a terrorist “sleeper agent.”
“He and his wife are devastated,” said lawyer Norm Boxall. They “never dreamed it possible.”
Despite eight years of legal battles, four of which Harkat spent in jail followed by strict house arrest, the man whom a Federal Court judge concluded was a member of the Osama bin Laden “network” thought a Canadian court would free him.
“To them, they know the truth,” said Boxall.
Harkat and his legal team are determined to appeal the ruling to the Federal Court of Appeal, said lawyer Matt Webber.
Harkat will argue that a judicial process that heard secret evidence against him and denied him access to the “special advocates” who were permitted to view evidence summaries behind closed doors is fundamentally unfair and unconstitutional.
[ Read the rest ... ]
Source: The Toronto Star
URL: [link]
Date: December 9, 2010
[PHOTO: Mohamed Harkat, middle, and his wife Sophie, right, wait outside Federal Court in Ottawa, in June, 2009. A federal court ruled Thursday there are reasonable grounds to declare Harkat a security threat, paving the way for his possible deportation.]
OTTAWA — Algerian-born Mohammed Harkat and his Canadian wife Sophie wept when they got word in his lawyers’ office that a judge has upheld CSIS claims he is a terrorist “sleeper agent.”
“He and his wife are devastated,” said lawyer Norm Boxall. They “never dreamed it possible.”
Despite eight years of legal battles, four of which Harkat spent in jail followed by strict house arrest, the man whom a Federal Court judge concluded was a member of the Osama bin Laden “network” thought a Canadian court would free him.
“To them, they know the truth,” said Boxall.
Harkat and his legal team are determined to appeal the ruling to the Federal Court of Appeal, said lawyer Matt Webber.
Harkat will argue that a judicial process that heard secret evidence against him and denied him access to the “special advocates” who were permitted to view evidence summaries behind closed doors is fundamentally unfair and unconstitutional.
[ Read the rest ... ]
Mohamed Harkat jugé complice de réseaux terroristes
posted on December 10, 2010 | in Category Mohamed Harkat | PermaLink
Source: Radio-Canada.ca avecOttawa Citizen
URL: [link]
Date: 9 décembre 2010
La Cour fédérale juge qu'Ottawa a de bonnes raisons de croire que Mohamed Harkat constitue une menace pour la sécurité nationale, en raison de ses liens avec des terroristes et des extrémistes islamiques. Elle confirme du coup que le certificat de sécurité dont il est l'objet est valide.
Le juge Simon Noël estime en outre dans un second jugement que le nouveau système de certificat de sécurité adopté par Ottawa en 2008, après que le précédent système eut été déclaré illégal par la Cour suprême, respecte la Constitution.
Ces jugements constituent une victoire attendue pour le gouvernement fédéral. L'an dernier, la justice canadienne avait invalidé les certificats de sécurité dont faisaient l'objet deux hommes suspectés d'appartenir à des réseaux terroristes, Adil Charkaoui et Hassan Almrei. Les deux hommes réclament maintenant plusieurs millions de dollars au gouvernement fédéral.
La Cour fédérale juge que les ministres de la Sécurité publique et de l'Immigration du Canada ont « des motifs raisonnables de croire que Mohamed Harkat s'est livré au terrorisme, constitue un danger pour la sécurité du Canada et est membre du réseau de Ben Laden en raison de son travail antérieur » avec certains membres du groupe.
La Cour souligne notamment que l'homme de 42 ans a été associé au groupe du Saoudien Ibn Khattab lors de son passage à Peshawar, au Pakistan, ainsi qu'à « des terroristes et des extrémistes islamiques tels qu'Ahmed Said Khadr [NDRL: père d'Omar Khadr] et Abu Messab Al Shehre »
En exploitant une maison d'accueil pour Ibn Khattab au Pakistan, précise le tribunal, Mohamed Harkat a démontré une « appartenance active » à un groupe terroriste.
Le tribunal affirme en outre qu'une fois arrivé au Canada, « Mohamed Harkat a maintenu des contacts, a assisté des extrémistes islamiques, et a utilisé certaines méthodologies typiques d'un "agent dormant". »
[ Read the rest ... ]
URL: [link]
Date: 9 décembre 2010
La Cour fédérale juge qu'Ottawa a de bonnes raisons de croire que Mohamed Harkat constitue une menace pour la sécurité nationale, en raison de ses liens avec des terroristes et des extrémistes islamiques. Elle confirme du coup que le certificat de sécurité dont il est l'objet est valide.
Le juge Simon Noël estime en outre dans un second jugement que le nouveau système de certificat de sécurité adopté par Ottawa en 2008, après que le précédent système eut été déclaré illégal par la Cour suprême, respecte la Constitution.
Ces jugements constituent une victoire attendue pour le gouvernement fédéral. L'an dernier, la justice canadienne avait invalidé les certificats de sécurité dont faisaient l'objet deux hommes suspectés d'appartenir à des réseaux terroristes, Adil Charkaoui et Hassan Almrei. Les deux hommes réclament maintenant plusieurs millions de dollars au gouvernement fédéral.
La Cour fédérale juge que les ministres de la Sécurité publique et de l'Immigration du Canada ont « des motifs raisonnables de croire que Mohamed Harkat s'est livré au terrorisme, constitue un danger pour la sécurité du Canada et est membre du réseau de Ben Laden en raison de son travail antérieur » avec certains membres du groupe.
La Cour souligne notamment que l'homme de 42 ans a été associé au groupe du Saoudien Ibn Khattab lors de son passage à Peshawar, au Pakistan, ainsi qu'à « des terroristes et des extrémistes islamiques tels qu'Ahmed Said Khadr [NDRL: père d'Omar Khadr] et Abu Messab Al Shehre »
En exploitant une maison d'accueil pour Ibn Khattab au Pakistan, précise le tribunal, Mohamed Harkat a démontré une « appartenance active » à un groupe terroriste.
Le tribunal affirme en outre qu'une fois arrivé au Canada, « Mohamed Harkat a maintenu des contacts, a assisté des extrémistes islamiques, et a utilisé certaines méthodologies typiques d'un "agent dormant". »
[ Read the rest ... ]
Ottawa's Harkat a terrorist, faces deportation, court rules
posted on December 10, 2010 | in Category Mohamed Harkat | PermaLink
by Andrew Duffy
Source: The Ottawa Citizen
URL: [link]
Date: December 9, 2010
OTTAWA - Mohamed Harkat planned to hold a press conference Friday morning to respond to a Federal Court decision that brands him a member of the Osama bin Laden terrorist network and a threat to national security.
In a 186-page judgment released Thursday, Judge Simon Noël endorsed the government's view of Harkat as an active and dangerous member of the extremist network allied with al-Qaeda.
Harkat, 42, now faces the prospect of being deported to his native Algeria where, he contends, he will be tortured or killed.
Defence lawyer Matt Webber vowed to fight any attempt to send Harkat back to the country from which he fled in 1990.
"He was completely devastated," Webber said of Harkat's reaction to Thursday's Federal Court judgment.
That judgment, Webber charged, relies heavily on evidence heard in secret and unavailable to Harkat's defence team. "So we come out of this," he said, "still feeling as if we were deprived of the ability to meaningfully respond to the allegations."
Harkat, a former pizza delivery man and gas station attendant, has lived in Ottawa since September 1995.
A federal immigration officer must now assess whether Harkat faces a significant risk of torture if deported to Algeria, and whether that is outweighed by the danger he poses to Canada.
[ Read the rest ... ]
Source: The Ottawa Citizen
URL: [link]
Date: December 9, 2010
OTTAWA - Mohamed Harkat planned to hold a press conference Friday morning to respond to a Federal Court decision that brands him a member of the Osama bin Laden terrorist network and a threat to national security.
In a 186-page judgment released Thursday, Judge Simon Noël endorsed the government's view of Harkat as an active and dangerous member of the extremist network allied with al-Qaeda.
Harkat, 42, now faces the prospect of being deported to his native Algeria where, he contends, he will be tortured or killed.
Defence lawyer Matt Webber vowed to fight any attempt to send Harkat back to the country from which he fled in 1990.
"He was completely devastated," Webber said of Harkat's reaction to Thursday's Federal Court judgment.
That judgment, Webber charged, relies heavily on evidence heard in secret and unavailable to Harkat's defence team. "So we come out of this," he said, "still feeling as if we were deprived of the ability to meaningfully respond to the allegations."
Harkat, a former pizza delivery man and gas station attendant, has lived in Ottawa since September 1995.
A federal immigration officer must now assess whether Harkat faces a significant risk of torture if deported to Algeria, and whether that is outweighed by the danger he poses to Canada.
[ Read the rest ... ]
