More Than a Mere Suspect

"We expected the minister to address our points, which he did not.  He just ignored them and rendered his decision based on his political beliefs more than anything else.  He is saying, 'I have no doubt about the other side's story'."  Hassan Diab

Should that be surprising?  Not that this is necessarily a reflection of Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson's political beliefs, but certainly that he respects the judicial authority of an allied country in requesting the extradition of someone they consider to be a prime suspect in a horrendous crime that took place on their soil. 

Mr. Diab may very well be, as he claims, innocent of the charges brought against him.

He will have the opportunity to prove his innocence when the French justice system proves it has been unable to justify its charges against Mr. Diab through the presentation of irrefutable evidence.  A victim of mistaken identity he may well be.  If the evidence is questionable, and does not speak convincingly to the issue of guilt as charged, he will have his personal Sword of Damocles lifted.

Countries which have fundamental democratic principles in common have also common agreements to aid and assist one another.  Canada has certain international agreements it is signatory to, and which it must respect.  This was clearly not an easy decision to make, all things considered.  And Mr. Diab and his law team and supporters have exhausted almost all legal means to prevent his being extradited.

The charges brought against him are very serious.  And he denies categorically having anything to do with the central Paris bombing of a synagogue in which four people were killed, many other wounded.  Justice Robert Maranger, during his hearing with the contested evidence, made it clear he was not convinced of the value of the handwriting evidence, but he acceded to Canadian law.

Canada offers Mr. Diab additional venues of appeal; the Federal Court of Appeal and finally the Supreme Court, if they agree to hear his appeal.