Close X
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
ADVT 
National

Terrorist Cites Right To Vote In Challenging Move To Strip His Citizenship

The Canadian Press, 15 Oct, 2015 11:21 AM
    OTTAWA — An Ottawa man jailed for his part in a terrorist conspiracy says a federal move to strip him of Canadian citizenship violates several constitutional guarantees, including his right to vote.
     
    Hiva Alizadeh is the latest to challenge new provisions that allow the government to revoke citizenship from someone convicted of terrorism, treason or espionage — as long as they hold nationality in another country.
     
    In an application to the Federal Court of Canada, the Iranian-born man says the provisions breach the principles of fundamental justice enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
     
    He also argues taking away his citizenship would improperly deny him the right to vote and prevent him from freely entering and remaining in Canada.
     
    Alizadeh, 36, was sentenced to 24 years in prison upon pleading guilty last year to possessing explosives with intent to do harm.
     
    The custodian and part-time student was arrested in August 2010 along with two other men. Police seized terrorist literature, videos and manuals along with dozens of electronic circuit boards — devices designed to detonate homemade bombs remotely.
     
    The federal Conservatives argue terrorism is a crime so grave that perpetrators are unworthy of holding citizenship. Critics say stripping someone's right to be a citizen is akin to the medieval practice of banishment.
     
    Alizadeh's lawyer, Leo Russomanno, said Wednesday his client was "pretty devastated" by the decision to revoke his citizenship, seeing as he took full responsibility for his crime the day he was sentenced. "He gave an impassioned and heartfelt expression of remorse to the court."
     
    Alizadeh is now effectively being punished twice for the same crime, which is unconstitutional, Russomanno contends.
     
    "Mr. Alizadeh agreed to accept the Crown's offer for 24 years, which is no small sentence. And now they seem to be piling on with this, and it doesn't seem very fair."
     
    Alizadeh could face deportation to Iran, a country where he faced persecution as an ethnic Kurd before attaining refugee status in Canada.
     
    His case will proceed in tandem with those of several other convicted terrorists challenging the citizenship revocation provisions.
     
    The B.C. Civil Liberties Association, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers and Asad Ansari, who was convicted for his role in a 2006 bomb plot, are spearheading the process.  
     
    Misbahuddin Ahmed, found guilty of conspiring with Alizadeh, is among those contesting the provisions.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Lawsuit Launched Against City Of Vancouver Over Missing-Women Memorial

    Lawsuit Launched Against City Of Vancouver Over Missing-Women Memorial
    Sean Kirkham, also known as Sean Faludi, filed a notice of civil claim in B.C. Supreme Court this week, alleging city Coun. Kerry Jang defamed him in a news story about "The Living Stones" project.

    Lawsuit Launched Against City Of Vancouver Over Missing-Women Memorial

    Four Lion Cubs Born At Toronto Zoo 'Appear Healthy,' Zoo Says

    Four Lion Cubs Born At Toronto Zoo 'Appear Healthy,' Zoo Says
    The zoo says in a Facebook post that the white lion Makali gave birth last weekend to four cubs, fathered by another white lion, Fintan.

    Four Lion Cubs Born At Toronto Zoo 'Appear Healthy,' Zoo Says

    Two Proposed LNG Projects On Vancouver Island Get Nod For Export Licences

    Two Proposed LNG Projects On Vancouver Island Get Nod For Export Licences
    Steelhead says the National Energy Board has approved a 25-year licence for the annual export of up to six million tonnes of LNG from a proposed floating liquefaction and export terminal in Saanich Inlet.

    Two Proposed LNG Projects On Vancouver Island Get Nod For Export Licences

    Ex-CBC Radio Host Jian Ghomeshi Headed To Trial After Motion Hearing Wraps Up

    Ghomeshi is set to return to court Feb. 1, 2016, when the trial is scheduled to begin in front of a judge only.

    Ex-CBC Radio Host Jian Ghomeshi Headed To Trial After Motion Hearing Wraps Up

    Independent B.C. MLA Vicki Huntington Blasts Government For Farmland Sales To Global Corp.

    Vicki Huntington, who represents the agriculture-rich Delta South riding, said Thursday that the latest purchase by British-based company Reckitt Benckiser included about 320 hectares of ranch land near Dawson Creek.

    Independent B.C. MLA Vicki Huntington Blasts Government For Farmland Sales To Global Corp.

    Nova Scotia Still Getting Drenched While New Brunswick Cleans Up From Downpour

    Nova Scotia Still Getting Drenched While New Brunswick Cleans Up From Downpour
    Environment Canada says Shelburne to Halifax County could see up to an additional 35 millimetres of rain.

    Nova Scotia Still Getting Drenched While New Brunswick Cleans Up From Downpour