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

Alberta train crash highlights need for Ottawa to improve railway safety: TSB

CALGARY — Investigators say a crash involving two freight trains in southern Alberta highlights the need for the federal government to improve railway safety standards.

Alberta train crash highlights need for Ottawa to improve railway safety: TSB

Robin Williams, World Cup, iPhone 6 are top Google Canada searches of 2014

TORONTO — The death of a beloved actor, quadrennial sporting events, a new smartphone, and a deadly outbreak topped Google Canada's annual list of the most popular trending search queries.

Robin Williams, World Cup, iPhone 6 are top Google Canada searches of 2014

Canadian teacher's family says Jakarta court rejected bid to dismiss abuse case

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The family of a Canadian teacher facing allegations he sexually abused a student at an international school in Indonesia says a court has rejected his bid to have the case against him dismissed.

Canadian teacher's family says Jakarta court rejected bid to dismiss abuse case

Rob Ford's tumour has shrunk in half after treatment, says ex-mayor's brother

TORONTO — The brother of Rob Ford says the cancerous tumour the former Toronto mayor has been getting treatment for has shrunk in half.

Rob Ford's tumour has shrunk in half after treatment, says ex-mayor's brother

NDP MP Glenn Thibeault to be Liberal candidate in Ontario byelection

TORONTO — New Democrats reacted with anger Tuesday after one of their MPs announced he was leaving the party to run for the Ontario Liberals in a yet-to-be called provincial byelection.

NDP MP Glenn Thibeault to be Liberal candidate in Ontario byelection

Judge delivers instructions to jury in Eaton Centre shooting trial

TORONTO — The jury hearing the trial of a man accused in a deadly shooting at Toronto's Eaton Centre mall must decide if the mental disorder he was suffering was severe enough to render him incapable of appreciating his actions, a judge instructed Tuesday.