How Much Proof is Negative Enough?

"The information obtained by CSIS during its investigation, in particular certain interceptions of communications, provided reasonable grounds to believe that the actions and speech of [Adil Charkaoui] showed his support for armed jihad and the use of violence and that he had demonstrated violent behaviour himself."
Government of Canada statement of defence

Adil Charkaoui makes a point during a news conference Friday, February 27, 2015 in Montreal. Charkaoui blasted a decision by two Montreal junior colleges to suspend leases granted to his Arabic schools. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

In 2000 a conversation intercepted by CSIS between Adil Charkaoui and two other people "seemed to be about seizing control of a plane for aggressive reasons", according to documents held by CSIS. And there was another recorded intercept, a conversation where two Charkaoui associates had a discussion, naming "Adil" and his biochemical plan of attack on the Montreal subway system.

Yet this is a man who successfully fought in court to have all charges against him on a security certificate put to rest. He was arrested and imprisoned for two years, then subjected to restrictions for another four years as he brought the government to court, resisting efforts to return him to his native Morocco. The man has filed a lawsuit against the Government of Canada to the value of $26-million, for ostensible damages.

The federal government argues its treatment of Mr. Charkaoui, given all the suspicious behaviour and related evidence held on file, is completely justified. He was seen to be in the company of suspected Islamic extremists in Montreal who were themselves under scrutiny by CSIS, and this is what brought him under suspicion, initially.

Evidential reports point to Ahmed Ressam, who was convicted in the United States of plotting to bomb the Los Angeles International Airport, informing CSIS agents that Adil Charkaoui was present at an al-Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan in 1998, according to documents. Giving the defence more than adequate grounds to believe he had discussed plans for terrorist attacks in Canada.

He has defended himself, claiming that he is being discriminated against. In an interview with Radio-Canada in February he stated his position as being averse to violence "whether it is the bombing of civilians, the white phosphorous that burns the children of Gaza or decapitations", effectively equating the State of Israel with Islamic State terrorists.

The latest incidents that have once again brought Adil Charkoui to the public eye, apart from CSIS's persuasion that he is an al-Qaeda sleeper agent, is that the 41-year-old who now presents himself as an imam, has been persuading young Muslims of their duty as Muslim faithful to involve themselves in jihad.

Students at Charkaoui's Centre Communautaire Islamique de l'Est de Montreal were prepared to go overseas to join jihadist groups; one has departed previously, latterly another has been arrested in the process of making the attempt.

In February Charkaoui acknowledged the fact that several in a group of seven young Muslim Quebecers who had gone to Syria had attended his religious instruction centre. Hardly something he could deny, since the proof is there. There seems no reason whatever not to remove this man from Canada, and to return him to the country of his birth.

Australia and Britain now take such steps to rid themselves of similar threats to their security, by rescinding citizenship under similar circumstances.