“Stop Unjust Extradition Proceedings”
In this issue:
1 – Court Decision
2 – Urge the Minister of Justice to Stop Hassan’s Extradition
3 – Bail Hearing
4 – Donate to Hassan’s Legal Defence Fund
1. Court Decision
On June 6, 2011, the judge in Hassan Diab’s extradition case announced his decision to commit Hassan for extradition to France. Hassan was immediately taken to a detention centre in Ottawa.
In his decision, the judge described the Record of the Case provided by France as “replete with seemingly disconnected information… also contained a great deal of argument, hypothesis, conjecture, and references to information received, without describing the source of that information or the circumstances upon which it was received”.
The judge made clear that without the French handwriting analysis report, he could not have committed Hassan for extradition. This is the same handwriting report that that the judge found to be “very problematic”, “very confusing”, and with “suspect conclusions”, and described as “susceptible to criticism and impeachment”.
In his decision, the judge concluded that France presented “a weak case” and that “the prospects of conviction in the context of a fair trial, seem unlikely. However it matters not that I hold this view”. The judge said he must commit Hassan because he is bound by Canada’s extradition treaty with France.
Mr. Donald Bayne, Hassan’s lawyer said, “The experience of this case reveals the very unfair state of extradition law in Canada. There is overwhelming evidence of the unreliability of the French handwriting analysis, yet the Canadian judge feels powerless to stop the extradition. The tragedy of this case is that wholly unreliable evidence is being used to secure an extradition to France, where Dr. Diab will be exposed to trial by secret un-defendable intelligence”.
Ottawa Citizen coverage of the judge’s decision
Statement by Hassan Diab, June 6, 2011
Déclaration de Hassan Diab, 6 juin 2011
2. Urge the Minister of Justice to Stop Hassan’s Extradition
Now that Hassan has been committed for extradition, the next step is in the hands of the Minister of Justice, Mr. Rob Nicholson, who has the power to refuse extradition.
We urge you to write to the Minister of Justice asking him to stop Hassan’s extradition.
In your letter to the Minister, you can point out the appalling unreliability of the French handwriting analysis report. Without this handwriting report, the judge said he could not have committed Hassan for extradition. It is extremely distressing that Canadians can lose their liberty on the basis of such patently and wholly unreliable evidence.
Also, please endorse our statement, “A Shock to our Conscience and an Affront to Liberty”, and take a firm public stand against abusive extradition proceedings.
Read the statement at: http://www.justiceforhassandiab.org/#statement-en
To endorse the statement, send an email to diabsupport@gmail.com and letting us know that you wish to sign the statement.
3. Bail Hearing
We call upon our supporters to join us at the Ontario Court of Appeal in Toronto to attend the bail hearing of Hassan Diab.
What: Hassan’s bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Appeal
Where: Motions Court, Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario
When: Thursday June 9, 2011
There is no exact start time for the bail hearing. Motions court begins at 9:30 AM. Cases are heard according to the order in which they appear on the court’s roster.
For more than two years Hassan has dutifully abided by all the terms of his bail, and has not committed a single infraction.
Sincere thanks to Hassan’s supporters for signing a petition asking that Hassan be free on bail while he is appealing his extradition order.
4. Donate to Hassan’s Legal Defence Fund
Please consider extending your support through a donation to Hassan’s legal defense fund.
The two-plus year legal battle and the monthly GPS monitoring fee have exhausted Hassan’s financial resources. He urgently needs donations to succeed in his struggle for justice—a struggle we all have a stake in!
Please visit http://www.justiceforhassandiab.org/donatefor information on how to donate
Hassan Diab Support Committee
Email: diabsupport@gmail.com
Web: http://www.justiceforhassandiab.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforhassandiab
Twitter: http://twitter.com/justiceforhdiab
Blog: http://friendsofhassandiab.blogspot.com
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