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

Study Involving UBC Scientist Says Chinook Salmon Could Be Wiped Out By 2100

VANCOUVER — New climate-change research involving a University of British Columbia scientist predicts that one of the West Coast's most prized salmon stocks could be wiped out over the next 85 years.

Study Involving UBC Scientist Says Chinook Salmon Could Be Wiped Out By 2100

Former Vancouver Stealth Head Coach Chris Hall Dies Of Cancer At 64

VANCOUVER — Chris (C.H.) Hall, former head coach of the National Lacrosse League's Vancouver Stealth, has died after a four-year battle with cancer.

Former Vancouver Stealth Head Coach Chris Hall Dies Of Cancer At 64

Canada faces new Cold War in Europe and hot war against ISIL in Iraq in 2015

OTTAWA — It could very well be that 2014 is remembered as the year when Canada traded one shadow war for possibly two others.

Canada faces new Cold War in Europe and hot war against ISIL in Iraq in 2015

Man arrested in Montreal on terrorism-related charge

MONTREAL — A Montreal man is facing a terrorism-related charge after police were tipped off by his family that he had recently become radicalized.

Man arrested in Montreal on terrorism-related charge

Man charged with kidnapping, attempted murder of six-year-old in Alberta

EDMONTON — A 21-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping in an attack on a six-year-old girl on a reserve west of Edmonton.

Man charged with kidnapping, attempted murder of six-year-old in Alberta

Minister Steve Ashton resigns, says he will seek leadership of Manitoba NDP

WINNIPEG — Manitoba's transportation minister says resigning from cabinet before launching a leadership campaign to become the province's next premier was the honourable thing to do.