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

Newfoundland and Labrador premier says he'll hold PM to account for CETA fund

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Newfoundland and Labrador's premier says he'll support Canada's free trade deal with the European Union if Ottawa upholds its commitments to the province.

Newfoundland and Labrador premier says he'll hold PM to account for CETA fund

Clinic closure in New Brunswick an unlikely catalyst for change on abortion

For abortion rights activists in New Brunswick, the announcement in April that the Morgentaler Clinic in Fredericton would soon shut down marked a low ebb for the movement.

Clinic closure in New Brunswick an unlikely catalyst for change on abortion

Inquest told Manitoba reserve had no chance fighting house fire without truck

WINNIPEG — An RCMP officer who investigated a fatal house fire in a Manitoba aboriginal community says people trying to fight the flames didn't have a chance without a fire truck.

Inquest told Manitoba reserve had no chance fighting house fire without truck

Following the money in U.S. politics: Group maps out special-interest cash

WASHINGTON — These are busy days for a group that works to map out the money ties in a U.S. political system covered in special-interest cash.

Following the money in U.S. politics: Group maps out special-interest cash

Canadian home sales activity stable in November, but 2014 better than expected

OTTAWA — The Canadian Real Estate Association raised its outlook for home sales for this year and next as mortgage rates have remained low and helped drive sales.

Canadian home sales activity stable in November, but 2014 better than expected

Second Alberta Crash In A Month Kills Multiple Foreign Workers From Philippines

RCMP say one woman and two men died when the Ford Mustang they were in lost control on Highway 11 between Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House on Saturday and collided with a five-ton truck heading the other way.