Original author; Canadian Press (CP)
Source: The National Post
URL: [link]
Date: September 6, 2005


OTTAWA -- Mohamed Harkat, an Ottawa man jailed for nearly three years on suspicion of terrorist ties, is headed for the Supreme Court of Canada in an effort to stave off deportation.

Lawyer Paul Copeland says the high court will be his next stop, now that the Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed a constitutional challenge by his client.

A three-judge panel took only 90 minutes to uphold a security certificate filed by the government against Harkat.

Under the certificate, defence lawyers are not allowed to see most of the intelligence gathered to support the claim of terrorist links, nor to cross-examine security officials.

The Supreme Court has already agreed to review that controversial process in a challenge brought by Adil Charkaoui of Montreal.

Copeland will file for leave to join the challenge and present Harkat's case to the high court. He will try to get Harkat freed on bail in the meantime.© Canadian Press 2005