International jurisdictions further complicate Salim Alaradi trial
As the legal battle continues for imprisoned Canadian Salim Alaradi in the United Arab Emirates, his lawyers are more convinced than ever alleged terrorism related charges against him should be dismissed.
Emirate prosecutors allege Alaradi, whose trial starts Feb. 15, supported and financed two terrorist organizations while in Libya back in 2011, according to his lawyer Paul Champ.
But Alaradi's family members issued a statement this week explaining Libyan officials say Alaradi is not wanted for any crime in that country.
That statement outlines how "the Libyan Attorney General...issued an affidavit confirming that Alaradi is not subject to any restrictions in Libya and is not wanted by the Office of the Prosecutor General."
Champ also argues that UAE officials have no jurisdiction over any activity in Libya, particularly when that country doesn't recognize he committed any crime.
"Given that he's not an Emirati citizen, they should have no jurisdiction over this matter," Champs told CBC Radio's Windsor Morning. "In our view, there's no court anywhere in the world that would allow this evidence to be admissible."
Denying allegations
UAE alleges Alaradi, in 2011, supported two militias that were part of the the Libyan revolution to overthrow Moammar Gadhafi. Alaradi is a Canadian businessman, who manufactures appliances in the UAE and sells them in the Middle East and Africa, according to Champ.
Champ said Alaradi denies ever being involved with those militias and that the prosecution's case is built with confessions made under torture.
"There's no other documents or other evidence to support it," Champ said.
Alaradi was arrested in a hotel room in August 2014 and has been in custody ever since. He had been held without charge for more than 500 days in the Emirates.
Late last week, the prosecutor disclosed the prosecution file to Alaradi's lawyer in preparation for Alaradi's next appearance Feb. 15.