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CANADA HALTS EXTRADITION PROCESS, LIBAN HUSSEIN DE-LISTED
OTTAWA, June 3, 2002 -- The Government of Canada announced today that
it is discontinuing legal proceedings to extradite Mr. Liban Hussein.
Mr. Hussein was subject to an extradition request by the United States in relation
to a money transferring offence. The Government of Canada has determined, following
an examination of all the circumstances in this case, that it would be inappropriate
to proceed with the extradition.
The U.S. Department of Justice has been informed
of the decision and has indicated they do not object. They have also expressed
ongoing confidence in the excellent relationship between Canada and the United
States with respect to mutual legal assistance and extradition.
In the aftermath of September 11,
Canada acted in concert with the United States and other nations in order to
swiftly freeze assets of suspected terrorist organizations and those who support
them. In keeping with this commitment, Canada listed Mr. Hussein under its UN
regulations to freeze the assets of persons and organizations associated with
terrorist financing. Other UN member states also listed Mr. Hussein, as did
the UN Security Council itself.
Based on a full and thorough investigation of the information collected in
relation to the extradition proceedings, the Government of Canada has concluded
that there are no reasonable grounds to believe Mr. Hussein is connected to
any terrorist activities. The Government has therefore removed him from the
list under Canada's UN regulations.
The Government of Canada will also seek to have him
de-listed at the United Nations. A person can be de-listed under this process, provided no member of the appropriate
UN Security Council Committee objects.
Canada remains a committed partner in the international fight against terrorism
and will continue to take the steps required to cut terrorists off from their
sources of funding.
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Ref:
Department of Justice (extradition process)
Media Relations Office (613) 957-4207
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (UN regulations,
listing and de-listing)
Media Relations Office (613) 995-1874
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