Ex-minister says CSIS’s national security fears were key to his decision to deny Canadian a passport

Former foreign affairs minister Lawrence Cannon testified in court about his decision to deny an emergency passport to Canadian citizen Abousfian Abdelrazik, who was living in exile in Sudan. Cannon stated that he was swayed by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s claim that Abdelrazik posed a national security threat. This decision has led to Abdelrazik suing the federal government and Cannon for millions of dollars, alleging that they were complicit in his detention and alleged torture in Sudan.

Abdelrazik, a Canadian citizen since 1995, was arrested in Sudan during a 2003 trip and interrogated by CSIS officials about suspected extremist links. Despite denying any involvement with terrorism and never being charged, Abdelrazik found himself stranded in Sudan for six years before a Federal Court ruling in 2009 ordered his return to Canada.

The case has shed light on the conflicting advice that Cannon received, with CSIS emphasizing Abdelrazik’s potential threat to national security. Despite assurances from Canadian officials that an emergency passport would be issued if he could secure a flight to Canada, Abdelrazik faced challenges due to being on a UN list associated with al-Qaeda and the U.S. no-fly list.

Cannon emphasized that CSIS intelligence played a central role in his decision-making process, citing concerns about Abdelrazik’s previous travel abroad and associations, including Ahmed Ressam, known as the “millennium bomber.” The minister expressed a desire to prioritize the safety and security of Canadians, leading to his denial of Abdelrazik’s emergency passport request.

Throughout the court proceedings, witnesses have highlighted CSIS’s objective to keep Abdelrazik detained in Sudan. However, federal lawyers have argued that the government did not advocate for his mistreatment or prolonged detention. The RCMP cleared Abdelrazik in 2007 of any criminal activity, further adding to the complexity of the case.

Abdelrazik initially filed his claim against Ottawa and Cannon in 2009, with the case now being heard in Federal Court after a lengthy delay. The proceedings have delved into sensitive documents and testimonies, shedding light on the intricate legal and security challenges surrounding Abdelrazik’s situation.