A judge for the Alberta Court of Appeal [5] on May 7 ruled that former Guantánamo detainee Omar Khadr [6] can be released on bail while he appeals his US war crimes conviction. According to Justice Myra Bielby, the ruling was based on her belief that there was "no clear evidence there would be irreparable harm if he was released." The judge also rejected arguments [7] made by government lawyers that Khadr's release would damage Canada's foreign relations. He will be required under the terms of his bail to live with his attorney and submit to electronic monitoring and a curfew.
Khadr, 28, is a Canadian citizen who was captured by US forces at the age of 15 after being found fighting in Afghanistan in 2002. He spent eight years in Guantánamo before being convicted on five charges and sentenced to eight years in prison for war crimes. The US transferred Khadr to Canada in 2012. A lawyer for Khadr requested [8] his client be released on bail in March, arguing that given the amount of time his appeal was taking to process, Kadhr's sentence could be completed before a decision could be reached.
From Jurist [9], May 8. Used with permission.
