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

'We walked through fire': Canadian-born woman, her family conquer flames to survive Greek fire

BARI, Italy — Rain and wind lashed the deck of the burning ferry tossing in the Adriatic Sea, and passengers were fighting for the last places on the only lifeboat. Canadian-born Natasha Tsonas and her husband Nassos stood with their two sons amid the chaos, and the only thing left seemed to say goodbye.

'We walked through fire': Canadian-born woman, her family conquer flames to survive Greek fire

Looming election, loss of party subsidy spurs year-end fundraising frenzy

OTTAWA — The spectre of a looming election, combined with the imminent end of a generous public subsidy, has added a heightened sense of urgency to federal political parties' annual year-end fundraising frenzy.

Looming election, loss of party subsidy spurs year-end fundraising frenzy

'The Interview' to open in 27 Canadian theatres on Friday, Sony says

TORONTO — After Americans had a chance to see "The Interview" in theatres, Canadians in some locations will also be able to watch the controversial movie on the big screen starting Friday.

'The Interview' to open in 27 Canadian theatres on Friday, Sony says

Google Canada aims to be 'appropriate,' not creepy, with mobile ad push in 2015

TORONTO — 2014 was the year Google saw Canadians really flock to mobile devices.

Google Canada aims to be 'appropriate,' not creepy, with mobile ad push in 2015

Terror attacks, Mountie killings, Ghomeshi scandal among top news events in 2014

An in-brief look at some of the most significant news events of the last 12 months, in chronological order:

Terror attacks, Mountie killings, Ghomeshi scandal among top news events in 2014

Modernized Canadian frigate departs for Mediterranean Sea over Ukraine crisis

HALIFAX — A Canadian frigate departed Halifax Tuesday to replace a sister ship that is part of a NATO maritime force aiming to reassure eastern European allies that are worried about the crisis in Ukraine.