This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
Magistrates labelled the evidence against Hassan Diab “full of contradictions and imprecision.”
Ottawa (18 Jan. 2018) — The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) welcomes the news that the charges against Dr. Hassan Diab, a Canadian, have been dismissed. Charges against Diab, a University of Ottawa sociology professor, were dismissed last week after investigating magistrates in France found the evidence against him was inconclusive. Diab was facing charges for the October 1980 bombing of a synagogue in Paris.
Magistrates labelled the evidence against Hassan Diab “full of contradictions and imprecision.” Among the problems was that his finger prints did not match those found by security services. Documents from a Beirut university and testimony from students there showed that Hassan Diab was in Beirut when the bombing took place.
French judges had already ordered his release 8 times
Diab was arrested in Canada in 2008. He was extradited to France in 2014.
Since Diab was extradited, French judges have ordered his release 8 times. However, on each occasion the decision was appealed and Diab remained in prison.
Case may not be over
Even though the charges against him have been dismissed and he has been released from prison, it is far from clear that the case is over. Media reports are suggesting that an appeal of the magistrates decision is a distinct possibility..
NUPGE supported Justice for Hassan Diab campaign
Along with human rights organizations and other unions, NUPGE has supported the Justice for Hassan Diab campaign. The problems with the evidence were clear from the beginning. The case has also raised larger concerns that the standards in the Extradition Act are far too low to ensure the human rights of Canadians are protected.