Baird could visit Ethiopia to aid jailed Canadian – Transport minister’s decision depends on outcome of Bashir Makhtal’s appearance in civil court today
Debra Black
Staff Reporter, Toronto Star
Federal Transport Minister John Baird, who has a large Somali population in his Ottawa West-Nepean riding, is considering going to Ethiopia on behalf of Canadian Bashir Makhtal, who is being held in jail in Addis Ababa.
But his decision hinges on what happens during a Makhtal court appearance today.
Makhtal, a Canadian citizen who lived in Toronto for close to a decade, was rendered to Ethiopia in January 2007 and has been held in prison for two years.
For most of his imprisonment, he was not allowed contact with the Canadian embassy nor legal representation.
The Ethiopian government alleges that Makhtal is a member of a terrorist organization – the Ogaden National Liberation Front – an allegation that Makhtal has denied.
He will appear in a civilian court in Addis Ababa today. But his cousin Said Maktal and other family members here don’t believe he will receive a fair trial.
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Tags: Bashir Makhtal, Canadian citizen, Ethiopia, John Baird, Somali
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