A Montreal man accused of terrorist ties displayed secretive and violent behaviour and once discussed commandeering a commercial aircraft for "aggressive ends," Canada's spy service alleges.The Canadian Security Intelligence Service allegations against Morocco-born Adil Charkaoui came late Friday as the federal government renewed its efforts to deport five Muslim men accused of terrorist links.
Ottawa filed updated national security certificates against the five - including some pointed fresh accusations - following recent passage of new legislation. The reworked law creates special advocates to defend the interests of suspected terrorists and spies tagged for deportation under the controversial security certificate process. The change is intended to bring the process in line with the Charter of Rights, after the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional last year.
Facing removal from Canada are Charkaoui, Mohamed Harkat, Mahmoud Jaballah, Mohamed Zeki Mahjoub and Hassan Almrei, all five of whom have been fighting to remain in the country.
The government did not file a new certificate against a sixth man, Manickavasagam Suresh, accused of ties to the Tamil Tigers. It was not immediately clear what would become of his case.
Charkaoui, a landed immigrant from Morocco, was arrested in Montreal in May 2003, accused of being an al-Qaida sleeper agent prepared to wage terror attacks against western targets. He denies the allegations.
| Lies, all lies, as usual, despite all the evidence ... |
In June 2000, Charkaoui allegedly had a conversation with two others about their apparent desire to take control of a commercial plane for aggressive purposes. The documents say he once applied to work in the air traffic control operations at Air Canada and, later, had an interest in working in the baggage section of Mirabel airport. CSIS suggests the job search, taken in connection with the earlier conversation, may have been part of the "planning of an attack."
The documents allege he has shown violent and impulsive behaviour, once beating up a delivery man. CSIS also says that on several occasions Charkaoui stressed the need for secrecy, once cautioning an associate to "speak only in generalities."
Security certificates have been issued in 28 cases in Canada since 1991. The secrecy of the process has drawn vocal criticism from lawyers, civil libertarians and human-rights advocates in recent years.
Under the new law, the special advocate would serve as a check on the state by being able to challenge the government's claims of secrecy over evidence, as well the relevance and weight of the facts.
The five men facing deportation under the refiled certificates will each be granted a new court hearing to determine the validity of the case.