After 15 years, Canadian Abousfian Abdelrazik is getting his long-awaited chance to hold the federal government accountable for its alleged role in his detention and torture in Sudan. Abdelrazik, a 62-year-old father of six, was never charged but was detained in Sudan from 2003 to 2006 and barred from returning to Canada until 2009 when a federal judge ordered his repatriation.
Abdelrazik is suing the Canadian government for $27 million, also naming former Conservative foreign minister Lawrence Cannon for denying him emergency travel documents. His lawyer, Paul Champ, calls Abdelrazik one of the “last remaining casualties of the war on terror” and argues that this case could set a new precedent for damages in human rights violations against Canadian citizens.
According to Champ, Abdelrazik was subjected to “illegal detention and torture abroad” with the involvement of Canadian intelligence, though they did not intend for him to be tortured. Rather, they sought to prevent him from returning to Canada. Abdelrazik alleges his rights to life, liberty, and security were violated.
The Crown’s defense argues that Canada had legitimate grounds to view Abdelrazik as a security threat, although it denies requesting his arrest or being aware of his mistreatment. The case, which will last eight weeks, involves testimonies from high-profile witnesses, including former ministers, diplomats, and intelligence officers.
Abdelrazik’s legal battle has faced numerous delays, including concerns over national security and the classification of evidence. Despite these obstacles, Champ asserts that Abdelrazik’s case highlights serious failures in Canada’s justice system.
Abdelrazik, who came to Canada as a refugee in 1990 and became a citizen in 1995, was detained in Sudan after returning to visit his sick mother in 2003. CSIS had reportedly flagged him as a potential security threat, citing alleged ties to Islamist extremists. However, no charges were ever brought against him, and his detention was allegedly arranged by CSIS in collaboration with the CIA.
The case will address whether Abdelrazik’s wrongful detention violated his rights, and the government’s role in his ordeal.