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

Jury continues to deliberate in Toronto Eaton Centre shooting trial

TORONTO — A jury is now into its second day of deliberating the fate of a man accused in a deadly shooting at Toronto's Eaton Centre mall.

Jury continues to deliberate in Toronto Eaton Centre shooting trial

Ottawa announces new initiative to make air travel easier to the U.S.

TORONTO — Travelling to the United States by air will be easier for some Canadian passengers, thanks to a new federal government initiative unveiled Wednesday.

Ottawa announces new initiative to make air travel easier to the U.S.

Canada in Washington: An image makeover for the friendly neighbour

WASHINGTON — An unusual phenomenon has transpired in the United States Congress when it comes to mentions of Canada.

Canada in Washington: An image makeover for the friendly neighbour

Harper, PCO approved long hiring process for social security tribunal

OTTAWA — The Privy Council Office, the bureaucracy that serves the prime minister and cabinet, played a key role in designing a lengthy 15-month hiring process for members of the government's backlogged social security tribunal.

Harper, PCO approved long hiring process for social security tribunal

Jurors at Luka Rocco Magnotta trial ask question on Day 2 of deliberations

MONTREAL — Jurors at Luka Rocco Magnotta's murder trial have emerged for the first time since they began deliberating — not with a verdict but with a legal question for the judge.

Jurors at Luka Rocco Magnotta trial ask question on Day 2 of deliberations

Inquest resumes today into fire that killed 32 people at Quebec seniors' home

RIVIERE-DU-LOUP, Que. — A coroner's inquest resumes today into the fire that killed 32 people at a seniors' home in eastern Quebec last January.