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

Man charged for tying up, robbing WWII vet held in custody for assessment

OTTAWA — A man facing multiple charges for tying up and robbing a Second World War veteran in Ottawa has been remanded in custody for 30 days for a psychiatric assessment.

Man charged for tying up, robbing WWII vet held in custody for assessment

Baloney Meter: will phasing out coal solve a rise in greenhouse gas emissions?

OTTAWA — "We are phasing out the use of traditional dirty coal. It's going to go to zero in the next 15 years or so. It's not high now and it's continuing to phase out. This is the biggest, single greenhouse emitting, greenhouse gas emitting source in the world, this coal fired electricity. So if others would just follow our lead, we'd have this problem solved."

Baloney Meter: will phasing out coal solve a rise in greenhouse gas emissions?

Alberta First Nation lauds Federal Court ruling on consultation and environment

EDMONTON — A judge says the federal government should have consulted with an Alberta First Nation before making significant changes to environmental laws.

Alberta First Nation lauds Federal Court ruling on consultation and environment

Vancouver In-custody Death Probed By The Corner And Police Watchdog

Vancouver police say an investigation is underway into the in-custody death of a 58-year-old woman. Officers responded to a 911 call early Dec. 15 and arrested the woman, transporting her to jail in a police wagon.

Vancouver In-custody Death Probed By The Corner And Police Watchdog

Mounties crack down on auto crime in Surrey, B.C., arrest 13 prolific offenders

SURREY, B.C. — An auto-crime crackdown by Mounties in Surrey, B.C., has led to the arrest of 13 offenders.

Mounties crack down on auto crime in Surrey, B.C., arrest 13 prolific offenders

Ex-butcher from B.C. Okanagan is prison bound for sexually touching youth

VERNON, B.C. — A former butcher-shop owner in Vernon, B.C., has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually touching a person under the age of 16.