October 5, 2001
Yemeni Suspect held in custody in “DEPLORABLE” way, lawyer says
Not allowed phone calls
Tom Blackwell
National Post
A Yemeni man wanted by the U.S. terrorism investigation is one of several inmates with Arabic names being held under extraordinary security at the Toronto jail, the man’s lawyer said yesterday.
Gary Batasar told the courts his client, Nageeb Abdul Jabar Mohammed Al-Hadi, is being treated so badly that it threatens the name of Canada’s legal system.
Mr, Al-Hadi has been in solitary confinement for more then three weeks without being able to make a phone call.
“As a nation, it certainly doesn’t behove us to have this man in custody without any [Canadian] charges against him,‚” Mr. Batasar said as his client appeared briefly in court.
“He is in custody in a maximum security jail‚ “He’s in a cell in isolation. I find that deplorable.‚”
Mr. Al-Hadi was arrested Sept.11 after his flight form Frankfurt to Chicago was diverted top Toronto. He was allegedly had four passports with him and two Lufthansa pilot uniforms in his luggage.
U.S. police has charges him with visa violations and have said they want to extradite him to the United States. He is also under investigation for possible links to suicide hijackings, although no connection has yet been unearthed.
He has denied having anything to do with terrorism.
Meanwhile a man from Djibouti who was arrested after sneaking across the border form the United States three days before the terrorist attacks is wanted by RCMP and FBI “vis-a-vis the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York,‚” according to the immigration documents divulged yesterday.
“HE IS IN ISOLATION. I FIND THAT DEPLORABLE‚”
Adne Ali Ahmed, being held in Ottawa jail, paid U.S. citizens of Somali origin US$500 to sprint him across the border, according to the documents.
Other suspects may be in custody, Mr. Al-Hadi lawyer says.
Mr. Batasar said that when he first went to visit Mr. Al-Hadi at the Metro-West Detention Centre this week, an official found his name on the list of about five people, all of whom have what appear to be Arabic names.
A notation beside the list indicates professional visits to the inmates had to be cleared ahead of time, the lawyer said.
When Mr. Batasar said he had not made advanced arrangements, he as told he could not see his client.
The lawyer said he has never experiences such obstacles in visiting an imprisoned client.
“It was quiet astonishing.‚”
Constable Howard Adam, an RCMP spokesman, said he is not aware of terrorism suspects being held in Toronto other then Mr. Al-Hadi.
Julia Noonan, a spokesman for the Ontario Corrections Ministry, said she couldn’t comment on security procedures at the detention center.
But she did say inmates are sometimes places under special security arrangements for their own protection, as part of disciplinary actions for the medical reasons.
“Security requirements aren’t based specifically on ethnic lines.‚” Ms. Noonan said.
Justice Brian Trafford adjourned Mr. Al-Hadi’s case until Oct.25, when Mr. Batasar plans to request that the Yemeni man to be released on bail.
Under extraordinary legislation, U.S. authorities have until Nov.19 to file a formal extradition application.