Ottawa drops appeal of Omar Khadr’s bail
TORONTO — The federal government has decided against pursuing an appeal of an Alberta court’s decision to grant former Guantanamo Bay inmate Omar Khadr bail.
The decision came in a joint statement Thursday from Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould.
“The government of Canada respects the decision of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, which determined that Mr. Khadr be released on bail in Canada pending his U.S. appeal of his U.S. convictions and sentence,” the statement said.
“Withdrawing this appeal is an important step towards fulfilling the government’s commitment to review its litigation strategy.”
The decision caught one of Khadr’s lawyers by pleasant surprise.
“We’re pleased with the government’s decision. We think it’s the right decision. We never did think there was much merit to this appeal,” Nate Whitling said in Toronto.
“Now Omar can get on with his reintegration.”
The Liberal government decision is a sharp break from its Conservative predecessor, which fought hard to keep Khadr behind bars for the duration of his sentence.
Ottawa drops appeal of Omar Khadr’s bail | Montreal Gazette
TORONTO — The federal government has decided against pursuing an appeal of an Alberta court’s decision to grant former Guantanamo Bay inmate Omar Khadr bail.
The decision came in a joint statement Thursday from Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould.
“The government of Canada respects the decision of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, which determined that Mr. Khadr be released on bail in Canada pending his U.S. appeal of his U.S. convictions and sentence,” the statement said.
“Withdrawing this appeal is an important step towards fulfilling the government’s commitment to review its litigation strategy.”
The decision caught one of Khadr’s lawyers by pleasant surprise.
“We’re pleased with the government’s decision. We think it’s the right decision. We never did think there was much merit to this appeal,” Nate Whitling said in Toronto.
“Now Omar can get on with his reintegration.”
The Liberal government decision is a sharp break from its Conservative predecessor, which fought hard to keep Khadr behind bars for the duration of his sentence.
Ottawa drops appeal of Omar Khadr’s bail | Montreal Gazette