Canadian officials are seeking to deflect criticism tonight over their ongoing refusal to approve Omar Khadr’s repatriation from Guantanamo Bay, saying that the US is actually to blame for what is now nearly a full year’s delay.
Khadr was a child soldier captured by the US in Afghanistan in 2001, and eventually sentenced to 40 years in prison for “terrorism.” The sentence, handed down in October 2010, only required him to spend one additional year in Gitmo before being transferred to Canada, where his case would likely be reviewed owing to his young age and limited evidence again him.
But when October 2011 rolled around, no transfer happened, and indeed no request was made. Public Security Minister Vic Toews, who is supposed to be responsible for this, even refused to acccept the application for Khadr’s return, saying that he didn’t get official approval from the US to accept the application.
Critics say this is a lousy excuse, especially because the Gitmo military tribunal’s sentence explicitly approved the transfer at the time of conviction. Khadr’s lawyers are pressing the Canadian federal court to demand Toews actually follow through, but this is likely to add to the delays, leaving the former child soldier staring down another birthday in custody.
Vic's a lying piece of crap.
Be careful You Tories you will get a spanking from big brother "take what you get and shut up".
Liars in high places or in this case, middle places.
vic the dic steps out of line, wow scary
Since when does Canada have to get the permission of the USA to apply for Khadr's transfer back to Canada? Since when does the USA dictate what Canada does in foreign affairs? I am sick and tired of the Harper government catering to the whims of American international relations which are dictated from the Zionists in Israel. Sure, pull Canadian staff out of the Tehran embassy, close the embassy in Cairo when the USA is under attack, sure plan a day of memorial for 9/11, etc. This government is so out of touch with the Canadian electorate that it is lucky to be a few years away from being booted out at the next election. Grow up Harper and company, Canada is a independent nation.
Khadr's case forced Harper and his thugs to revel their racist and chauvinistic positions in regard to other "canadians".
Brenda Martin was convicted drug smuggler and the anglo establishment didn't rest till they obtained her release from Mexico.
Convicted criminal Conrad Black was allowed to fly into Canada on private jet even though he renounced Canadian citizenship.
PE Trudeau's death was the death of Canada as well, they have gone back to their colonial roots.