by The Canadian Press
Source: CTV News Toronto
URL: [link]
Date: January 14, 2011


OTTAWA — Canada's controversial national security-certificate system faces a new constitutional challenge from Mohamed Harkat -- one month after a court declared the Ottawa man a danger to the country.

Lawyers for Harkat, who is accused of links to terrorists, want the Federal Court of Appeal to determine whether the security certificate being used to deport him is consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

It is one of several questions they're asking Judge Simon Noel, who heard the original case, to approve for examination.

Harkat, a former gas attendant and pizza delivery man, was arrested more than eight years ago under a security certificate on suspicion of being an al Qaeda sleeper agent. He denies any involvement in terrorism.

Harkat, 42, says he's merely a refugee who fled strife-torn Algeria and worked with an aid agency in Pakistan before coming to Canada. He argues he will be tortured if returned to his homeland.

[ Read the rest ... ]