CSIS seeks spy's identity

posted on November 18, 2006 | in Category CSIS | PermaLink

Original author: Michelle Shephard Source: The Toronto Star URL: [link] Date: November 17, 2006 CSIS

'Russian' accused of espionage Suspect carried fake documents

The Canadian government has detained a suspected Russian spy by using the controversial security certificate legislation now under review by the Supreme Court. The move has surprised those who believed the days of Cold War espionage were long gone. The unidentified man was arrested at Pierre Trudeau International Airport in Montreal Tuesday night and is accused of using a false identity and "engaging in the act of espionage." He is listed on the security certificate as Paul William Hampel, the bogus name he was allegedly using on his Canadian travel documents. Agents with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service are reportedly trying to ascertain his identity, as a federal court judge reviews the evidence presented by the spy service. His first court appearance will be Wednesday in Montreal. While government sources confirmed the man is accused of spying for Russia, a spokesperson for Russia's embassy in Ottawa dismissed the suggestion yesterday as "ridiculous." "I don't see any connection," said Alexey Lisemkov, the embassy's press secretary. "All I can see are speculations about his nationality." No Canadian government officials, including those from CSIS, have contacted the embassy since the Tuesday night arrest, Lisemkov said.

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