Crown injunction fails, Harkat to be freed
A Federal Appeal Court judge has dismissed an attempt by the Crown to get an injunction preventing the release of Ottawa's Mohamed Harkat.
Harkat is one of four Muslim immigrant men being held on security certificates.
A Federal Court judge ordered his release last month under strict conditions, but Ottawa launched an appeal to keep him in prison.
- FROM MAY 31, 2006: Ottawa to appeal Harkat's release
In the meantime, the Crown sought a stay to prevent him leaving prison until the appeal is heard.
But the judge Friday refused to grant a stay, and Harkat, who has been in prison for three years, is expected to be free as soon as Tuesday.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has accused Harkat of being an al-Qaeda "sleeper agent." CSIS alleges Harkat trained under Osama bin Laden's top lieutenants in Afghanistan.
- INDEPTH: Security certificates
Harkat is one of several men detained under the security certificates, which sparked a nationwide controversy because they allow the federal government to hold people suspected of posing a threat to national security indefinitely without charge.