Amnesty International calls on France to halt its case against Ottawa’s Hassan Diab

“We think this case is coming down into arbitrariness.” Released Mar 18, 2023 – Last upgraded 1 day ago – 4 minute checked out A July 2019 file picture of Hassan Diab at a media conference in Ottawa. Picture by Justin Tang/ THE CANADIAN PRESS An Ottawa university speaker deals with trial in absentia next month in France, where district attorneys continue to declare he was associated with a 1980 terrorist battle– in spite of proof he remained in Lebanon at the time. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to check out the current news in your city and throughout Canada. Endless online access to short articles from throughout Canada with one account Get unique access to the Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic reproduction of the print edition that you can share, download and discuss Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our acclaimed reporters Support regional reporters and the next generation of reporters Daily puzzles consisting of the New York Times Crossword SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to check out the current news in your city and throughout Canada. Limitless online access to posts from throughout Canada with one account Get special access to the Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic reproduction of the print edition that you can share, download and discuss Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our acclaimed reporters Support regional reporters and the next generation of reporters Daily puzzles consisting of the New York Times Crossword REGISTER TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or check in to continue with your reading experience. Gain access to posts from throughout Canada with one account Share your ideas and sign up with the discussion in the remarks Enjoy extra short articles each month Get e-mail updates from your preferred authors Hassan Diab, 69, a Canadian resident born in Lebanon, has actually been pursued by French authorities for 15 years. Amnesty International has actually contacted the French federal government to stop is “groundless” prosecution of Diab and to discover those accountable for the Oct. 3, 1980, attack on a Paris synagogue that eliminated 4 individuals and hurt 40 others. “The restored prosecution of Hassan Diab runs the risk of replacing the essential pursuit of reality and responsibility … with another travesty of justice,” Amnesty International stated in a current declaration. Diab’s trial is set up to start April 3. He will be represented in court by French legal representatives while he stays in Ottawa. In an interview, Fabien Goa, an Amnesty representative based in Paris, stated France’s pursuit of the deeply problematic case angered the nation’s dedication to reasonable trials preserved in the European Convention on Human Rights. “We think this case is coming down into arbitrariness,” he stated. Ottawa’s Roger Clark, a member of the Hassan Diab Support Committee, contacted the Canadian federal government to provide a declaration ensuring that Diab would not be extradited to France for a 2nd time if he’s condemned at the approaching trial. “I believe it’s crucial for Canada to indicate to the French authorities that Canada does decline this is a reasonable trial,” stated Clark, previous secretary general of Amnesty International (Canada). “This, I believe, becomes part of Canada’s responsibility to safeguard its residents.” Clark stated he did not think Diab might get a reasonable trial in France because the only possible proof versus him would originate from secret intelligence sources. “I believe Canada needs to be extremely, extremely firm, and make it really clear– even prior to the trial starts– that it will decline a 2nd ask for his extradition,” Clark stated. “There’s no justice if an innocent guy is founded guilty.” Diab’s Ottawa attorney, Donald Bayne, stated the case had actually ended up being deeply politicized in France with lots of outdoors celebrations– representing victims and Jewish groups– promoting a prosecution. French appeal courts have actually stated those celebrations are worthy of a trial. “Unfortunately,” Bayne stated, “it implies they are worthy of a scapegoat. It’s rather uncomfortable. There’s still a slim hope that some factor will dominate in France and the court will acquit him based on the proof.” Diab deals with hazard in the event due to the fact that France might seek his extradition for sentencing if he was condemned. Bayne promised to strenuously withstand any such extradition demand “as unjustified and an abuse of procedure.” Legal Representative Don Bayne, left, and Hassan Diab hold a press conference at Amnesty International (Canada) in Ottawa on Jan. 17, 2018, following Diab’s go back to Canada. Image by LARS HAGBERG/ AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES The Diab case has a long, unusual history. Diab was apprehended in November 2008 based upon a French ask for extradition and held in custody for nearly 4 months. France’s case versus Diab, provided throughout the extradition hearing, was circumstantial. It relied greatly on a handwriting analysis that connected Diab to words the believed bomber penned on a hotel registration card. Diab’s legal group presented its own handwriting professionals, who contested the techniques and conclusions of the French analysis. The extradition judge, Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Maranger, explained the case versus Diab as “weak” and stated the possibility of his conviction was not likely in a reasonable trial. Maranger stated Canadian law was such that he might not reject extradition and he bought Diab turned over to French authorities. Following appeals that went all the method to the Supreme Court of Canada, Diab was extradited to France, where he invested 3 years behind bars, waiting for trial. In January 2018, 2 investigative French magistrates dismissed the accusations versus Diab due to an absence of proof and purchased his release from prison without trial. Marc Herbaut and Richard Foltzer stated they discovered proof to support Diab’s contention that he had actually remained in Beirut, composing tests, at the time of the battle. The judges utilized university records and interviews with previous schoolmates to conclude Diab was “most likely in Lebanon” throughout September and October 1980, making it not likely that he was the guy who bombed the Paris synagogue. Diab went back to Ottawa days later on, however his case did not end there. Hassan Diab has pleased that he remained in Beirut, composing examinations, at the time of the 1980 battle of a Paris synagogue that is the focus of the French case versus him. Picture by Justin Tang/ THE CANADIAN PRESS French district attorneys appealed the termination and in January 2021 an appeal court purchased Diab to stand trial. France’s supreme court, la Cour de cassation, maintained that choice. Bayne stated Diab, a sociology teacher and dad of 2, is distressed and stressed out about the upcoming trial. He continues to teach part-time at Carleton University. “This is sort of a replay of the Dreyfus case,” Bayne charged. Alfred Dreyfus was a French military officer who was wrongfully founded guilty of treason in 1894 in a case greatly freighted by anti-Semitism. His conviction was protected, in part, on the basis of a handwriting analysis that was later on shown incorrect. Dreyfus was sent to prison on Devil’s Island, however ultimately exonerated. Smiths Falls healthcare facility getting ready for setup of much-needed MRI devices Police promote neighborhood help in arrest of suspect who took vacation presents