A former University of Ottawa professor wanted in France in connection with the bombing of a synagogue will likely be released from custody as he fights an extradition order.
Hassan Diab's lawyer Donald Bayne said yesterday afternoon the Court of Appeal judge hearing Diab's bail request, Justice Eleanore Cronk, said she is "inclined" to grant bail.
"He certainly deserves to be on bail," said Bayne. "It isn't over until it's over and we'll hear the final conditions and the order, if not [Friday], then very soon thereafter."
Diab was on bail as Bayne fought his extradition to France. On Monday, an Ottawa judge ruled against him, and Diab was taken back into custody.
If Diab is granted bail while he appeals the extradition ruling, he will likely be released under the similar conditions as before — which were "very stringent" and similar to house arrest, said Bayne.
Diab, his lawyer, and supporters argue that Diab is innocent, but won't receive a fair trial in a French anti-terrorism court. Diab says he was not in France at the time of the bombing and that France's case rests on secret intelligence and "shoddy handwriting analysis."