Ottawa Police admit role in Arar case

Admission adds “another layer of complicity and accountability,” says CAIR-CAN

(Ottawa, Canada – 9/3/2004) – The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) today expressed grave concern regarding recent admissions by Ottawa Chief of Police Vince Bevan that the Ottawa Police played a role in the investigation of Maher Arar.

The admissions by Chief Bevan were revealed yesterday at a meeting of local Canadian Muslim and Arab leaders called by the Ottawa Police. CAIR-CAN Executive Director Riad Saloojee was present at the meeting where Chief Bevan indicated that local police services acted in partnership with the RCMP in the investigation of Maher Arar as part of ‘integrated policing’ initiatives undertaken after 9/11. In addition to working with the RCMP, Chief Bevan stated that the Ottawa Police also partners with CSIS.

In a statement released today, CAIR-CAN wrote:

“The recent admission by Ottawa Chief of Police Vince Bevan of his service’s role in the Arar case adds yet another layer of complicity and accountability in this tragic case. In addition to being concerned about the conduct of the RCMP and CSIS, Canadians must now also scrutinize the actions of their local community law enforcement.

“The scope of the Arar inquiry must be broadened to shed light regarding the involvement of the Ottawa Police and must also examine the now-relevant, but still unanswered questions, regarding the situation of Ottawa resident Abdalla Almalki. Almalki, still imprisoned in Syria, has reportedly been severely tortured and his fundamental legal rights violated. Was alMalki, for example, also the subject of a joint investigation between the RCMP and the Ottawa police?

“Canadian Muslims see no dichotomy between respecting the rule of law and ensuring community safety. What happened to Maher Arar must never be repeated. What checks and balances, if any, are being taken by the Ottawa Police to ensure that investigation and information sharing with others does not imperil the safety of local Canadian citizens? To regain the trust of Ottawa residents, these questions must be answered.”