INDEPTH: CANADIAN SECURITY
RCMP news release
April 2, 2004
RCMP statement regarding the case of Mohammad Momin Khawaja
In keeping with our commitment to provide the public and the media with information on police activity in the case of Mohammad Momin Khawaja, we take this opportunity to address further aspects of this case known as Project Awaken.
As we have already stated, this is a very complex and sensitive ongoing criminal investigation. Certain elements of this investigation are under a publication ban by the courts and preclude us from disclosing details. This publication ban was not issued at the request of the RCMP. While it is our wish to be as open and transparent as possible, we are nonetheless bound by legal and operational limitations regarding the level of detail we can disclose.
However, recent developments in the case permit us to confirm that the actions taken in the arrest and charge of Mr. Khawaja of Ottawa are related to the arrests in the United Kingdom. While we realize that confirming this fact will raise many questions, we cannot elaborate on the details of the connection due to the ongoing criminal investigation. We wish to assure Canadians that the charges against Mr. Momin Khawaja are the result of a lawful criminal investigation. His guilt or innocence will be determined by the courts.
With respect to recent reports regarding Mr. Mahboob Al Khawaja's alleged detention in Saudi Arabia, we can unequivocally state that the RCMP has never been in contact with authorities in Saudi Arabia with respect to either Mr. Khawaja or his son.
There has been a lack of clarity in the reporting of information to the public with respect to the nature of the charges laid against Mr. Momin Khawaja. We would like to clarify that Sections 83.18 and 83.19 of the Criminal Code of Canada are new provisions brought into effect with the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act on December 24, 2001. This is indeed the first time someone has been charged under these provisions.
We want to stress to all Canadians that these recent police actions were targeted at criminal activity. We must never forget that national security is public security. Our investigations in this regard focus on detecting and apprehending those individuals who, through their actions, put the lives of all citizens at risk. It is the activities and actions of these individuals, not their religious or cultural affiliation, that are the focus of our investigations.
We acknowledge that Canadian Muslims are feeling vulnerable at this time. The Muslim community is an integral part of the Canadian cultural, social and economic fabric. This community contributes in a vital way to Canada, through its entrepreneurship, strong sense of community spirit and rich culture. The actions of individuals should not cloud this reality. We encourage all Canadians to continue to embrace our multi-cultural society and to practice tolerance and understanding.
The RCMP's mandate is to protect the citizens of this country. We are focused on the safety, security and well being of our communities and the people who live in them. We are working very closely with our law enforcement partners in Canada and the U.K. to ensure public safety and national security is maintained both in Canada and abroad.
The RCMP will continue to pursue this mandate in a manner which fully respect the rights of all who live in Canada and which reflects the RCMP's Mission, Vision and Values of integrity, honesty, professionalism, compassion, respect and accountability, which have been its foundation for over 130 years.
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