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

B.C. Students' Science Experiment On Hold After Rocket Explosion In Virginia

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A year's worth of hard work and fundraising efforts by a group of students from Kamloops, B.C., have gone up in flames with the spectacular explosion of a commercial rocket bound for the International Space Station.

B.C. Students' Science Experiment On Hold After Rocket Explosion In Virginia

Man Wanted In Alberta For Multiple Break And Enters Could Be In B.C.: Police

KELOWNA, B.C. - Mounties in British Columbia say a man wanted in Calgary for 10 break and enters may be in the Okanagan.

Man Wanted In Alberta For Multiple Break And Enters Could Be In B.C.: Police

B.C. pipeline opponents cemented on blocking Kinder Morgan survey work

BURNABY, B.C. — A group calling itself the Caretakers is vowing to stop survey crews from accessing a Metro Vancouver conservation area that is the focus of energy giant Kinder Morgan for its preferred route for a pipeline expansion.

B.C. pipeline opponents cemented on blocking Kinder Morgan survey work

B.C. Park Selected As Finalist For National Geographic Travel Award

GWAII HAANAS, B.C. — A national park at the southern edge of British Columbia's Haida Gwaii archipelago is in the running for a National Geographic travel award.

B.C. Park Selected As Finalist For National Geographic Travel Award

Sleeping pill use among seniors too common, Choosing Wisely Canada says

TORONTO - A campaign to reduce inappropriate use of health care in Canada is calling for more prudent prescribing of sleep aids among seniors.

Sleeping pill use among seniors too common, Choosing Wisely Canada says

MPs returning to the scene of parliamentary assault say they'll carry on

OTTAWA - Some members of Parliament say they'll have a tough day as they return to caucus rooms where they were locked in last week as a gunman attacked Canada's seat of power.