Whois
09-27-2004, 10:30 AM
Background on Maher Arar:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/arar/
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U.S. won't co-operate with Arar inquiry
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/09/21/arar040921.html
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RCMP report released on Arar case.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/09/24/rcmparar_040924.html
OTTAWA - An internal RCMP report says the force lacked the expertise to conduct national security investigations when it targeted Maher Arar as a potential terrorist.
The 76-page report, which contained many blacked-out pages, was released on Friday by the federal inquiry into Arar's arrest and deportation to Syria.
The report documents, by day and by hour, the decisions made by RCMP investigators as they fed their U.S. counterparts everything they had on Arar following his arrest in 2002.
Arar, a Syrian-born Canadian citizen, was detained in New York City by U.S. authorities on suspicions he had links to al-Qaeda. He was deported to Syria, where he says officials tortured him.
According to the report, the RCMP had Arar under surveillance for a year before his arrest.
During the two weeks Arar was in U.S. custody, a number of RCMP officials were in frequent contact with U.S. officials, even providing a list of questions for Arar's interrogation.
But the report indicates U.S. authorities kept the RCMP in the dark about what was going on with their suspect.
The report's author, Chief Supt. Brian Garvi, says that while the RCMP had reason to believe Arar might be deported, members did nothing to encourage that.
Arar, however, sees the facts differently. "I mean, for me it's a clear indication that they were complicit," he said.
Arar is particularly disturbed by the revelation that the RCMP vetoed an attempt by Canada to win his release from Syria.
The report says RCMP deputy commissioner Gary Loeppky was opposed to Foreign Affairs sending a diplomatic note to Syria that cleared Arar of any involvement in terrorist activity.
Lorne Waldman, Arar's lawyer, suggests "the RCMP impeded Mr. Arar's return."
The RCMP says it won't comment on the report because it's before the inquiry.
The public inquiry, led by Justice Dennis O'Connor, is continuing behind closed doors.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/arar/
-------------
U.S. won't co-operate with Arar inquiry
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/09/21/arar040921.html
-------------
RCMP report released on Arar case.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/09/24/rcmparar_040924.html
OTTAWA - An internal RCMP report says the force lacked the expertise to conduct national security investigations when it targeted Maher Arar as a potential terrorist.
The 76-page report, which contained many blacked-out pages, was released on Friday by the federal inquiry into Arar's arrest and deportation to Syria.
The report documents, by day and by hour, the decisions made by RCMP investigators as they fed their U.S. counterparts everything they had on Arar following his arrest in 2002.
Arar, a Syrian-born Canadian citizen, was detained in New York City by U.S. authorities on suspicions he had links to al-Qaeda. He was deported to Syria, where he says officials tortured him.
According to the report, the RCMP had Arar under surveillance for a year before his arrest.
During the two weeks Arar was in U.S. custody, a number of RCMP officials were in frequent contact with U.S. officials, even providing a list of questions for Arar's interrogation.
But the report indicates U.S. authorities kept the RCMP in the dark about what was going on with their suspect.
The report's author, Chief Supt. Brian Garvi, says that while the RCMP had reason to believe Arar might be deported, members did nothing to encourage that.
Arar, however, sees the facts differently. "I mean, for me it's a clear indication that they were complicit," he said.
Arar is particularly disturbed by the revelation that the RCMP vetoed an attempt by Canada to win his release from Syria.
The report says RCMP deputy commissioner Gary Loeppky was opposed to Foreign Affairs sending a diplomatic note to Syria that cleared Arar of any involvement in terrorist activity.
Lorne Waldman, Arar's lawyer, suggests "the RCMP impeded Mr. Arar's return."
The RCMP says it won't comment on the report because it's before the inquiry.
The public inquiry, led by Justice Dennis O'Connor, is continuing behind closed doors.