Original author: Michelle Shephard
Source: The Toronto Star onlnie
URL: [link] (subscribers only)
Date: November 6, 2004
Government reveals little of case against terror suspect
Lawyers challenging secret process used for detainees
It's often referred to as a quasi-judicial procedure, but even that definition might be generous when describing Mohamed Harkat's day in court last month in Ottawa.
There was little that resembled a traditional legal hearing when the Algerian refugee, one of five men currently accused by the federal government of belonging to a terrorist organization, took the stand to profess his innocence.
Harkat's defence consisted only of simple denials of the chilling accusations levelled by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
"No sir" or "never, ever" were his answers when asked if he was an Al Qaeda sleeper agent or a supporter of violent Islamic fundamentalism.
The government did not call any witnesses to bolster the case it laid out in a 40-page summary at the time of Harkat's arrest.
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