Coalition Justice for Adil Charkaoui, 9 January 2005

Montreal, 09 January 2005 – The Coalition for Justice for Adil Charkaoui denounces the latest secret hearing in Adil Charkaoui’s case. Last week, CSIS again presented information to Federal Court Judge Simon Noel in a closed hearing. Charkaoui and his lawyer were not permitted to be present and are denied access to the information.

"I am thoroughly disgusted by these games and demand a fair trial with full disclosure," said Charkaoui. "It is clear why they are using this abusive process - they have no case against me which would stand up to a fair trial. They have no case against me because I am innocent."

The public summary of the secret evidence reveals nothing more than allegations which were broadcast by media in April 2004. The Coalition for Justice for Adil Charkaoui organised a press conference to respond at that time.

Last week’s secret hearing came six days in advance of a public hearing in which Charkaoui was to present the results of a polygraph test to support his innocence. This is not the first time that the timing of steps taken by CSIS has seemed strategic.

"Why is this being re-visited now, eight months after it first appeared?" asked Hind Charkaoui. "Not only is my brother facing a process that is manifestly unjust, he is also subject to CSIS’s dirty tricks."

Adil Charkaoui is one of five Muslim men who are being held without charge under a "security certificate", a discriminatory measure which applies only to Canadian residents who have not received citizenship status. Mohammed Mahjoub, the longest held, has been detained for four and a half years. All five men face deportation to places where Immigration Canada and Amnesty International believe they risk torture and further abuses of their rights.

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