Middle East studies in the News

Judge Gives France Computer Files in Paris Bomb Case [on Hassan Diab]

Agence France-Presse
October 7, 2009

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j-yobU5lsCt8pdQ4OusUByHJrqEA

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/8492

A judge in Canada has ordered computer files linked to the alleged perpetrator of a 1980 Paris synagogue bombing turned over to French authorities, media reports said Wednesday.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Maranger ruled that the November 2008 seizure by police of a computer owned by the common law wife of alleged bomber Hassan Diab was "borderline" but nevertheless legal, the Ottawa Citizen newspaper reported.

Diab, a Canadian-Lebanese national, is accused in a Paris bombing nearly three decades ago that killed four people when a bomb planted in a motorcycle saddlebag outside the Copernic Street synagogue exploded.

The attack in the city's upscale 16th arrondissement killed three Frenchmen and a young Israeli woman, and injured dozens.

Diab, who faces possible extradition to France to be tried for murder, attempted murder and willful destruction of property, has claimed he was a victim of mistaken identity and denied any links to extremist organizations.

The judge also is reviewing whether the contents of a second computer seized by Canadian federal police at the couple's home should be handed over to French officials, the Ottawa Citizen reported.

An attorney for Diab's common law wife Rania Tfaily had argued that police were on a "fishing expedition" when they seized the computers.

Both computers are owned by Carleton University in Ottawa, where Tfaily is a professor and Diab used to teach.

Note: Articles listed under "Middle East studies in the News" provide information on current developments concerning Middle East studies on North American campuses. These reports do not necessarily reflect the views of Campus Watch and do not necessarily correspond to Campus Watch's critique.

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