Omar Khadr Wins Bail

[Illusion]

Ex-Gitmo detainee who killed U.S. soldier wins bail in Canada

Ottawa (CNN)Former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr, who's serving a prison sentence in Canada for murdering an American soldier, won a court ruling that will release him on bail while he appeals his conviction, the Alberta Court of Appeal said Thursday.

Justice Myra Bielby ruled that Khadr -- who pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, providing material support for terrorism, spying and conspiracy -- can be released because, she said, "there was no clear evidence there would be irreparable harm if he was released."

Under a plea deal with U.S. military prosecutors in October 2010, Khadr admitted to throwing a grenade during a 2002 firefight in Afghanistan that killed Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Speer, a member of a U.S. Army Special Forces unit.

Khadr agreed to the plea deal under the condition that he would serve most of the sentence in Canada, his attorneys said. As part of the deal, Khadr received an eight-year sentence with no credit for time served.

Parliament member Steven Blaney, who also is minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, criticized the judge's decision. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government opposed Khadr's release, saying the convict remains a danger.

"We are disappointed with today's decision, and regret that a convicted terrorist has been allowed back into Canadian society without having served his full sentence," Blaney said in a statement.

"Omar Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes, including the murder of American Army medic Sgt. Christopher Speer," Blaney said. "By his own admission, as reported in the media, his ideology has not changed."

Ex-Gitmo detainee who killed U.S. soldier wins bail in Canada

By Michael Martinez and Paula Newton, CNN

Updated 5:33 PM ET, Thu May 7, 2015
Killer of U.S. soldier allowed bail in Canada


Ottawa (CNN)Former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr, who's serving a prison sentence in Canada for murdering an American soldier, won a court ruling that will release him on bail while he appeals his conviction, the Alberta Court of Appeal said Thursday.

Justice Myra Bielby ruled that Khadr -- who pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, providing material support for terrorism, spying and conspiracy -- can be released because, she said, "there was no clear evidence there would be irreparable harm if he was released."

Under a plea deal with U.S. military prosecutors in October 2010, Khadr admitted to throwing a grenade during a 2002 firefight in Afghanistan that killed Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Speer, a member of a U.S. Army Special Forces unit.

Khadr agreed to the plea deal under the condition that he would serve most of the sentence in Canada, his attorneys said. As part of the deal, Khadr received an eight-year sentence with no credit for time served.

Parliament member Steven Blaney, who also is minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, criticized the judge's decision. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government opposed Khadr's release, saying the convict remains a danger.

"We are disappointed with today's decision, and regret that a convicted terrorist has been allowed back into Canadian society without having served his full sentence," Blaney said in a statement.

"Omar Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes, including the murder of American Army medic Sgt. Christopher Speer," Blaney said. "By his own admission, as reported in the media, his ideology has not changed."

Supporters of Khadr praised the ruling, calling it a victory for human rights, according to the website Free Omar Khadr Now.

The group said Khadr had written a letter to it, saying he will stay in Edmonton, Alberta.

"Since I've come to Edmonton I've been feeling more connected to this beautiful city and it's wonderful people. Everytime I see somebody new or somebody writes to me I feel that I belong to Edmonton and that makes my heart warm," Khadr's letter said, according to the group.

The group contended that Khadr pleaded guilty under torture at Guantanamo.

"Having been obtained by torture and other impermissible coercion, Mr. Khadr's acceptance of the plea bargain is not and cannot be considered an admission of guilt," the group said.

The group tweeted a photograph of Khadr's release Thursday.

Bail conditions require Khadr to live with his attorney under a curfew and with electronic monitoring, among other restrictions, his attorneys said.

In 2012, Khadr was transferred from Guantanamo naval base in Cuba to his homeland of Canada to serve the remainder of his sentence.

His case has sparked controversy among Canadians. Many say they think his sentence was too lenient. Others, noting his capture at age 15, say he should have been treated as a child soldier and point to alleged mistreatment while in custody.


http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/07/world/...ar-khadr-bail/

[K9Grip]

"Omar Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes, including the murder of American Army medic Sgt. Christopher Speer," Blaney said. "By his own admission, as reported in the media, his ideology has not changed."
Thanks, Cananda.

[Illusion]

Originally Posted by K9Grip

"Omar Khadr pleaded guilty to heinous crimes, including the murder of American Army medic Sgt. Christopher Speer," Blaney said. "By his own admission, as reported in the media, his ideology has not changed."
Thanks, Cananda.

I really need to know the hard facts on his guy before I can pass judgment. One news agency is calling him a security risk. On the other side of the argument, one news agency is saying something completely different, stating that Canada's image as a nation that upholds civil rights and the rule of law has been tarnished by this affair.

From his lawyer.

"There is not a single, radical thought in Omar Khadr's head," he said.

"I've spent many, many days with Omar, for years. We would go down there and not just have interviews. We'd spend the weekend with him. Playing games and playing cards and watching movies. I have never once, for a moment, observed even a hint of any kind of radical ideology on the part of Omar. There's no question whatsoever that what was in his past was inflicted upon him by his parents. It ceased back on July 27, 2002, when he was taken prisoner."

Many Canadians, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, continue to see Khadr as a terrorist, a man who admitted to and was justly convicted of war crimes.

"Those words were stated in Guantanamo," Whitling said of his client's confession to war crimes charges. "I must say, I'm one of the lawyers who encouraged him to say those things in order to get him out of there. I think he probably would have confessed to the Kennedy assassination, if that's what it would have taken to get him out of that place. And most of us, I think, would have done the same thing."

[rob666]

The only reason he admitted anything is because the military commission that overseas the process is stacked completely for the prosecution.
The defendant has extremely limited rights, including no choice in the lawyer that represents you, no right to even see the evidence against you, and the prosecution even has the right to use evidence obtained during " coercive interrogation ", and we all know what that means.

Acquittal is no guarantee of release either.

So basically, you can go through the trial that is completely stacked against you, and even if your found not guilty they can still hold you indefinitely......... Or you can take the plea bargain, and be guaranteed out in 10 years.

Seems like a no brainer to me.

[rob666]

Originally Posted by Illusion

I really need to know the hard facts on his guy before I can pass judgment. One news agency is calling him a security risk. On the other side of the argument, one news agency reached a much different conclusion, saying that Canada's image as a nation that upholds civil rights and the rule of law has been tarnished by this affair.

From his lawyer.

I'm all for prosecuting people for war crimes, but it needs to be an open, non biased process.

The truth is the vast majority of war crimes go unpunished.

[Mr Poo]

Originally Posted by rob666

The only reason he admitted anything is because the military commission that overseas the process is stacked completely for the prosecution.
The defendant has extremely limited rights, including no choice in the lawyer that represents you, no right to even see the evidence against you, and the prosecution even has the right to use evidence obtained during " coercive interrogation ", and we all know what that means.

Acquittal is no guarantee of release either.

So basically, you can go through the trial that is completely stacked against you, and even if your found not guilty they can still hold you indefinitely......... Or you can take the plea bargain, and be guaranteed out in 10 years.

Seems like a no brainer to me.

Most people wouldn't admit to blowing up a US soldier with a grenade unless they actually did it.

What would his defense be? It was not me, but my partner to my right that threw the grenade.. Either way he was there and actively trying to kill troops that are allies with his nation. Whether he pulled the pin or not, he's still responsible.

If someone kills a person during a bank robbery, the get-away driver gets a murder charge also..

[rob666]

Originally Posted by Mr Poo

Most people wouldn't admit to blowing up a US soldier with a grenade unless they actually did it.

What would his defense be? It was not me, but my partner to my right that threw the grenade.. Either way he was there and actively trying to kill troops that are allies with his nation. Whether he pulled the pin or not, he's still responsible.

If someone kills a person during a bank robbery, the get-away driver gets a murder charge also..

I already outlined the situation.

He could take the deal, and serve 10 years.

Or he could go to a kangaroo court, and even if found innocent, still be held indefinitely.

Give him a real trial, and see what his defence is

[rob666]

Originally Posted by Mr Poo

Most people wouldn't admit to blowing up a US soldier with a grenade unless they actually did it.

What would his defense be? It was not me, but my partner to my right that threw the grenade.. Either way he was there and actively trying to kill troops that are allies with his nation. Whether he pulled the pin or not, he's still responsible.

If someone kills a person during a bank robbery, the get-away driver gets a murder charge also..

You'd be pretty surprised what people will admit to when they're being tortured too

[Mr Poo]

Originally Posted by rob666

I already outlined the situation.

He could take the deal, and serve 10 years.

Or he could go to a kangaroo court, and even if found innocent, still be held indefinitely.

Give him a real trial, and see what his defence is

If you're gonna play jihadist, be prepared to die jihadist or rot in Cuba.. I have no sympathy.

[rob666]

Originally Posted by Mr Poo

If you're gonna play jihadist, be prepared to die jihadist or rot in Cuba.. I have no sympathy.

How do you determine that without the trial?

Isn't the foundation of American justice that you are innocent until you're fond guilty?