Jailed since 2003 as terrorism suspect
Jubilation, tears of joy for his family

MONTREAL — It was the call they feared might never come.

"I'm going to be freed," rejoiced Adil Charkaoui, calling home from a nearby federal prison cell, where he has been held since May 2003 after being labelled a terrorist by the Canadian government.

Screams of jubilation erupted in this humble apartment in Montreal's north end, a neighbourhood favoured by the city's working-class Muslim community. Tears quickly followed from his mother, Latifa, and his father, Mohammed, a usually stoic pair who have spent the last 17 months fighting to bring their son back home.

"I'm so, so happy," said Charkaoui's mother, adding she has felt similar joy once before in her life. "It is like when I gave birth to him. ... Adil is free and he's coming home. This shows he is not a dangerous criminal."

Federal Court Justice Simon Noël did not rule, however, that the 31-year-old Charkaoui was innocent of government charges he was a sleeper agent for a terrorist group and was trained at an Al Qaeda camp in Afghanistan. But he will allow him home today on a $50,000 bail bond and on the condition he wears an electronic bracelet for police to monitor his movements, obeys a curfew and limits Internet use,

Charkaoui, a Moroccan-born landed immigrant, still faces trial over the government's allegations, which resulted in him being put behind bars under a "national security certificate." Bail is far from the total freedom and declaration of innocence Charkaoui desires.

Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan has said the government "absolutely'' still considers Charkaoui a threat to national security.

"We argued strenuously that he should have continued in detention," McLellan told the Star's Tonda MacCharles in Ottawa yesterday.

"I'm very pleased to see the lengthy list of restrictions placed upon Mr. Charkaoui, and it is quite clear that if he breaches any one of those restrictions, he will be back in detention."

Much of the evidence against Charkaoui is considered so sensitive to national security interests that even Charkaoui and his lawyers have not been able to see it.

"It's not over," said his sister, Hind, adding that the family now seeks "to annul" the security certificate and clear her brother's name.

Standing quietly in the living room, under a prayer from the Qur'an that has pride of place, Charkaoui's father said the news gives him hope the Canadian justice system would not fail his son.

"I always believed in Judge Noël," he said.

Nearby, the telephone was buzzing with the sound of a jubilant Charkaoui, vowing to present new evidence in next week's court proceedings to prove that the government's allegations against him are false. He has steadfastly maintained his innocence and alleges CSIS turned on him after he refused to act as a spy.

"There's not much time to celebrate," he said, fearing he could be tortured if deported to Morocco. "We're back in court on Monday."

For now, the main fixation of the family is staging a proper homecoming. Last night the family was digging out Charkaoui's favourite songs, finding him fresh clothes and thanking supporters, who include Oscar-winning filmmaker Denys Arcand; Alexandre Trudeau, son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau; singer Bruce Cockburn, and former cabinet ministers Warren Allmand and Flora MacDonald.

His 3-year old daughter, Khawla, said she helped bake a Bundt cake. Her brother, 17-month Abdallah, who was born while Charkaoui was in prison, sat quietly beside her.

"We are preparing a big party," said Charkaoui's mother.

Asked on the telephone what he wants to eat first when he gets out of prison, Charkaoui responded, "couscous."

His mother, dabbing at tears, had already predicted that.

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