Harkat served deportation papers
Posted Jan 21, 2011 05:26:23 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
An Ottawa man suspected of terrorist activity has been served deportation papers.
But Mohamed Harkat’s lawyers are confident he won’t be leaving the country any time soon.
Matthew Webber spoke to the media outside the Canada Border Service offices on St. Laurent Boulevard Friday, saying the legal team would file an appeal within the next few weeks.
He said that it would be extremely unlikely that Harkat be deported while court is considering the appeal.
Harkat, 42, was arrested eight years ago under a security certificate on suspicion of being an al-Qaida sleeper agent, but he denies any involvement in terrorism.
In December, a federal court judge ruled he was a security threat who maintained ties to Osama bin Laden’s terror network.
Once the team files the appeal it could be years before the Federal Court of Appeal reaches a decision, which would give Harkat more time here in Canada, but at the same time it extends the uncertainty.
“We’ve been through hell for already eight years,” said Harkat’s wife Sophie.
“And we might go through hell for another eight years. But I know that at the end of all this justice will prevail. That’s the important thing and that the truth will come out. That’s all we’re asking for.”
In the meantime, Harkat is still subject to his 2002 bail conditions.
“It’s impossible for me to go to daily life when, you know, deportation all the time is hanging on the top of your head since 2002 when I got arrested,” said Harkat who looked defeated when he spoke Friday.
Sophie Harkat said they will continue to fight to clear her husband’s name and that she has never doubted her husband’s innocence.
