A Canadian Safety Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
The spy service worker, who can solely be recognized as Witness C to guard their id, testified Wednesday in Abousfian Abdelrazik’s lawsuit in opposition to the federal authorities.
Abdelrazik claims Canadian officers organized for his arbitrary imprisonment, inspired his detention by Sudanese authorities and actively obstructed his repatriation to Canada for a number of years.
The Sudanese-born Abdelrazik was arrested in September 2003 whereas in his native nation to see his ailing mom.
He was questioned in custody by CSIS officers about suspected extremist hyperlinks.
Throughout two periods, with Sudanese officers current, CSIS requested about his actions in Canada, his data of individuals in Montreal and his affiliation with people linked to terrorist exercise.
Abdelrazik, 62, says he was additionally tortured by Sudanese authorities throughout two durations of detention.
He denies involvement in terrorism.
Federal legal professionals argue Canada didn’t urge Sudan to maintain him in detention or mistreat him, or create a threat that these items would possibly occur.
Witness C, who had beforehand spoken to Abdelrazik in Montreal, travelled to Khartoum with one other CSIS official in late October 2003.
In Sudan, Abdelrazik acknowledged Witness C from their earlier contact in Canada.
In Federal Court docket on Wednesday, the witness testified in French from a separate location, and their voice was disguised to forestall identification.
Witness C acknowledged telling Abdelrazik in Canada that he mustn’t journey, however characterised that as honest recommendation to guard him, slightly than a menace.
The witness mentioned they warned Abdelrazik that travelling “might be problematic. And so there was no menace in any way when these feedback had been made.”
Within the post-September 11 period, intelligence companies world wide had been sharing details about terrorism suspects, the witness mentioned. “So it was not inconceivable that Mr. Abdelrazik, whereas travelling overseas, may appeal to the eye of different companies apart from Canada. So these are issues that had been past our management.”
Throughout cross-examination, Abdelrazik’s lawyer Paul Champ requested if the warning had probably been worded, “You are planning to journey to Sudan. You will see what occurs.”
The witness once more denied making such a menace.
“Your data is inaccurate. What I recall is that it was a suggestion that I made to him. I urged to him, if he had the intention to journey, it was not a good suggestion.”
The witness added that whereas CSIS had indications on the time that Abdelrazik would possibly journey overseas, the spy service didn’t know if his vacation spot could be Sudan or elsewhere.
In April 2008, Abdelrazik sought refuge on the Canadian Embassy in Khartoum.
He returned to Canada in 2009 after a choose dominated Ottawa breached his constitutional rights by refusing to present him an emergency journey doc.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Nov. 13, 2024.
