Mohamed Harkat feels like he's starting over from scratch. The Algerian-born Ottawa resident, who has been fighting to clear his name of ties to al-Qaida, was served notice Friday that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service has declassified portions of its case against him. The government filed new security certificates against Harkat and four other men accused of having terrorist ties, following new legislation that came into effect Friday. SEEKS 'FAIR TRIAL'
CSIS presented a 105-page document to Canada's Federal Court, outlining charges against Harkat that would make him "inadmissible on security grounds" and therefore subject to deportation.
"I don't have any things to hide," insisted Harkat from his Herongate home, where he remains under house arrest. "All we've been asking for is a fair trial where everything is open. It's very hard for me to defend myself if somebody puts evidence in front of a judge that I haven't even seen. There is no opportunity to defend myself."
On Friday, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson appointed 13 special advocates to "protect the interests and rights" of those who are subject to security certificates.
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