Statement from CAIR-CAN

(Ottawa, Canada – September 26, 2007) The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) is deeply concerned with this week’s abrupt decision to cancel the preliminary inquiry into the cases of the Toronto 18. Thus far, three of the suspects have had their charges stayed.

The group says it is troubled by the unfairness inherent in a decision to scrap the hearings before the accused’s lawyers could fully cross-examine key government informants to test the cases against their clients.

“The mystery surrounding this case and this unorthodox turn of events raises serious doubts about the accused’s chances of a fair trial and due process,” says Sameer Zuberi, CAIR-CAN Communications Coordinator.

The accused’s lawyers are on record as stating that the Crown has breached its agreement by not allowing them to fully cross-examine witnesses at the hearings, including a key informant, Mubin Shaikh, who has spoken widely about the case despite a publication ban.

Shaikh was reportedly in the middle of being cross-examined when the Crown decided to turn the tables. A Globe and Mail story yesterday reported that Shaikh’s testimony was not going very well for the government.

“The manner in which this election was made by the Crown and its timing raises some troubling questions about what the government fears,” said Zuberi. “Was the Crown getting nervous about its informants or the case?”

The group says that the government must respond to the legitimate concerns raised by defence counsel if there is to be confidence in the process and our justice system.

SEE: Globe and Mail – Terrorism case moves directly to trial

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070925.wterror25/BNStory/National/home

CONTACT: Sameer Zuberi, CAIR-CAN Communications Coordinator, (613) 245-9704 or (613) 795-2012.

Short URL: http://tinyurl.com/y95h5nx