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

$200m Allocated For Military Mental Health

OTTAWA - The federal government has announced $200 million over six years to support mental health needs of military members, veterans and their families.

$200m Allocated For Military Mental Health

Man, 51 Dies After Altercation With Police Officers In East Vancouver

VANCOUVER — The Independent Investigations Office has taken over the case of a 51-year old man who died after an altercation with police in East Vancouver.

Man, 51 Dies After Altercation With Police Officers In East Vancouver

Volunteers Compile Book Of Stories Of Canadian Troops Who Served In Afghanistan

EDMONTON — Volunteers hope a book of personal stories and images they've compiled from soldiers who served in Afghanistan will help Canadians remember a conflict that some fear is already fading from the public eye.

Volunteers Compile Book Of Stories Of Canadian Troops Who Served In Afghanistan

Republican Party Seeks Answer To Obama On Immigration

WASHINGTON - Sputtering with indignation, the Republican party promises there will be consequences for U.S. President Barack Obama's sweeping, unilateral move on immigration.

Republican Party Seeks Answer To Obama On Immigration

Mounties Open Fire On The Streets Of Surrey, After Two Cruisers Rammed

SURREY, B.C. — Police fired their weapons on the streets of Surrey, B.C., during a lunch-hour incident that saw two cruisers rammed by a fleeing car.

Mounties Open Fire On The Streets Of Surrey, After Two Cruisers Rammed

Kelowna Man Who Killed His Mother With A Hammer Found Not Criminally Responsible

KELOWNA, B.C. — The Kelowna, B.C., man who admitted to using a hammer to kill his mother has been found not criminally responsible for the crime because of a mental disorder.