National

Politicians call on Ottawa to help secure release of Saudi blogger

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Jan, 2015 10:52 AM

MONTREAL — Several politicians are calling on Ottawa and Quebec to help secure the freedom of a Saudi blogger who was flogged 50 times last week after being convicted of insulting Islam.

Raif Badawi's wife and children live in Quebec.

Representatives of the federal NDP, the Parti Quebecois and Quebec solidaire held a news conference in Montreal this morning urging Ottawa and Quebec to do more to help free Badawi.

Badawi was sentenced last May to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes after he criticized Saudi Arabia's powerful clerics on a liberal blog he founded.

International Development Minister Christian Paradis was asked about Badawi at a news conference in Quebec City today and said the case is complicated because he is not a Canadian citizen.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Brother Says Rob Ford Needs More Treatment

TORONTO - Rob Ford's brother says the outgoing Toronto mayor will need a fifth round of chemotherapy for a rare and aggressive cancer in his abdomen.

Brother Says Rob Ford Needs More Treatment

Alberta Stays In Black Despite Oil Free Fall

Finance Minister Robin Campbell says in his second-quarter update that the forecast budget surplus for this fiscal year has been revised downward to $933 million.

Alberta Stays In Black Despite Oil Free Fall

Canada Post On Track To Profit In 2014, Earned $22m In Third Quarter

Despite more people still choosing email over snail mail, the Canada Post Group of Companies says it's on track to earn a profit this year despite an earlier forecast for a multimillion-dollar loss.

Canada Post On Track To Profit In 2014, Earned $22m In Third Quarter

More Than 300 Snakes Found In Saskatchewan Home, Some Slithering Off To School

A Saskatchewan family has captured more slithering snakes in their home. And some of the serpents are going to school.

More Than 300 Snakes Found In Saskatchewan Home, Some Slithering Off To School

Man Charged With Murder In Lobster Dispute Told Police He Intended To Kill Him

PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — A man accused of murdering another man at sea in a dispute over lobster told police he intended to kill Phillip Boudreau when he shot at him in a Cape Breton harbour.

Man Charged With Murder In Lobster Dispute Told Police He Intended To Kill Him

TransCanada Cuts Ties With U.S. Public Relations Firm Over Campaign Concerns

A Canadian pipeline company is cutting its ties with a controversial U.S. public relations firm after leaked documents raised concerns about suggested tactics to promote a planned pipeline.