RCMP man insists he never thought U.S. would send Arar to Syria

[Judi Lynn]

August 23, 2005 - 19:38

RCMP man insists he never thought U.S. would send Arar to Syria

JIM BROWN

OTTAWA (CP) - A key RCMP player in the Maher Arar affair says he never suspected, despite some apparent hints from U.S. authorities, that the Americans were going to deport Arar to Syria in the fall of 2002. Sgt. Rick Flewelling acknowledged at a public inquiry Tuesday that he discussed the fact that Arar was a dual Syrian-Canadian national with a U.S. official.

He added that the American wanted to know whether Arar could be denied entry to Canada if he tried to return to this country.
He also wanted to know whether the Mounties had enough evidence to charge him with any terrorist offence.

Flewelling told his U.S. contact no on both points; Arar could not be barred from entering Canada and could not be charged with anything.

At the time, said Flewelling, he thought he was clearing the way for Arar's release from detention in New York and his return home.
(snip/...)

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n082371A

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They won't make that mistake of underestimating the viciousness of the _Bush administration again.

[wli]

1. the offenders on Arar's front need to stand trial in the Hague

For crimes against humanity.

[laundry_queen]

2. agreed. n/t