Canada Hiding Tunisia's Ben Ali Family 'Big Fish' Billionaire?
Johnny Canuck | 27.01.2011 08:19 | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements | World
Indications are that family members of the Tunisian dictator, including billionaire, Belhassen Trabelsi are in hiding in Canada. Authorities there seem unwilling to arrest the fugitives despite Interpol warrants. Tunisians in Canada are alarmed and concerned. Protests are planned in the Canadian capital next Wednesday.
The 'most notorious' family member of the former dictator of Tunisia, Ben Al, billionaire Belhassen Trabelsi is likely hiding out with his family in Canada, Tunisians in Montreal claim. They are sharply critical of the Stephen Harper government for the lack of cooperation in apprehending the fugitives, claiming that Ottawa has also been slow to move to freeze criminal assets here.
"We expect the government not to let these people flee Canada,' said Haroun Bouazzi, who's part of a Montreal based Tunisian solidarity collective. We're so scared they'll go somewhere where there's no chance they'll be extradicted to Tunisia." They plan demonstrations at the Canadian Parliament next Wednesday.
The RCMP claimed Wednesday that an international Interpol alert does not constitute an arrest warrant under Canadian law. However, Interpol has already made clear its standard practice is to forward formal extradition requests via diplomatic channels once arrests have been made.
Canada's Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney, hinted Wednesday that Trabelsi has permanent residency status and would not simply be removed "through standard immigration procedures." I can't comment on individuals because of the Privacy Act, but I can tell you that some members of that family are in Canada as permanent residents and they have a legal right to be here."
Tunisia has issued an international arrest warrant for Trabelsi, who is charged with illegally acquiring property and other assets and illegally transferring funds. He's also charged with illegal arms trafficking, and is described as 'one of the biggest fish in the Ben Ali pond'.
Please pressure Canada:
Minister Jason Kenney, Minister of Immigration
kenney@parl.gc.ca
Sheila Bird, Executive Director, Public Affairs RCMP
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cont/comment-eng.html
Canadian Embassies and Offices
http://www.international.gc.ca/ciw-cdm/embassies-ambassades.aspx
Support and Solidarity: Further info:
Collectiv de Solidarite au Canada avec les Luttes Sociales en Tunisie
Facebook
msm: http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=4150752
"We expect the government not to let these people flee Canada,' said Haroun Bouazzi, who's part of a Montreal based Tunisian solidarity collective. We're so scared they'll go somewhere where there's no chance they'll be extradicted to Tunisia." They plan demonstrations at the Canadian Parliament next Wednesday.
The RCMP claimed Wednesday that an international Interpol alert does not constitute an arrest warrant under Canadian law. However, Interpol has already made clear its standard practice is to forward formal extradition requests via diplomatic channels once arrests have been made.
Canada's Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney, hinted Wednesday that Trabelsi has permanent residency status and would not simply be removed "through standard immigration procedures." I can't comment on individuals because of the Privacy Act, but I can tell you that some members of that family are in Canada as permanent residents and they have a legal right to be here."
Tunisia has issued an international arrest warrant for Trabelsi, who is charged with illegally acquiring property and other assets and illegally transferring funds. He's also charged with illegal arms trafficking, and is described as 'one of the biggest fish in the Ben Ali pond'.
Please pressure Canada:
Minister Jason Kenney, Minister of Immigration
kenney@parl.gc.ca Sheila Bird, Executive Director, Public Affairs RCMP
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cont/comment-eng.html Canadian Embassies and Offices
http://www.international.gc.ca/ciw-cdm/embassies-ambassades.aspx Support and Solidarity: Further info:
Collectiv de Solidarite au Canada avec les Luttes Sociales en Tunisie
msm:
http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=4150752
Johnny Canuck