CSIS did not want Abdelrazik to return to Canada, former diplomat tells court

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) was accused of actively working to keep Abousfian Abdelrazik detained in Sudan, according to testimony from Scott Heatherington, a former diplomat who worked on the case. Heatherington, who served as director of foreign intelligence at Foreign Affairs, testified in a hearing for Abdelrazik’s lawsuit against the federal government.

Abdelrazik, now 62 years old, was arrested in Sudan during a 2003 trip to visit his mother. He was interrogated by Sudanese officials and CSIS agents about suspected extremist links, although he has denied any involvement in terrorist activity. Emails exchanged between diplomats and CSIS officials showed a clear objective from CSIS to keep Abdelrazik in detention, with one official stating that Abdelrazik was considered a terrorist and that releasing him posed a threat.

Heatherington’s testimony revealed that there was communication between Canada and Sudan regarding Abdelrazik’s potential release, with CSIS planning a visit to Khartoum that may have influenced the decision. However, Heatherington maintained that Foreign Affairs’ position was to either charge Abdelrazik or release him, with the goal of protecting both Canadians and Abdelrazik.

Abdelrazik was released to a halfway house in 2004 but was detained by Sudanese officials again in 2006. In 2008, he sought refuge at the Canadian Embassy in Khartoum and eventually returned to Canada in 2009 after a judge ruled that Ottawa had violated his constitutional rights by refusing to provide him with an emergency travel document.

CSIS has denied allegations that they requested Abdelrazik’s detention or intervened to keep him in custody. Despite never being charged with terrorism offenses, Abdelrazik faced years of arbitrary imprisonment and obstacles in returning to Canada. The RCMP cleared him in 2007, stating that they had no evidence of his involvement in criminal activity.

The case highlights the complex and sometimes conflicting interests at play in matters of national security and individual rights. The testimony and evidence presented shed light on the challenges faced by individuals caught in the crossfire of international security operations.