November 20, 2001
Extradition request filed for Yemeni man
Toronto Star
The United States has files a formal extradition request for a Yemeni man in custody in Toronto, but the documents don’t mention any charges relating to September 11, the day he was detained, his lawyers say.
The U.S. government sent the documents to Canadian justice officials late Friday, documents that go no further than the original passport and visa fraud charges for which Canada was originally asked to arrest Nageeb Al- Hadi, lawyer Gary Batasar said yesterday.
Al- Hadi was detained September 11, after he was found by Canadian airport officials to be carrying multiple passports, including one with another individual’s name and photograph.
He ended up at Pearson airport after the attacks closed U.S. airports and his Yemen- Frankfurt- Chicago flight was diverted here.
Batasar said he spoke this weekend to federal prosecutor Brad Reitz, who informed him that the papers had arrives- the deadline was yesterday- and there was no mention of September 11.
A Canadian justice department spokesperson confirmed the documents arrived, but would not comment on the contents.
Batasar said an extradition hearing date must now be set. The case returns to court Thursday. Co- counsel Deepak Paradkar said a person can’t be charged with additional offences once extradited.
Although never stated explicitly, Batasar said, the label ‚”suspected terrorist‚” still hangs over Al- Hadi. The lawyer said the latest documents appear to clear his client of any suspicion surrounding September 11.