Omar Khadr shares his story in 'Out of the Shadows' documentary

Omar Khadr speaks publicly: 'I'm a good person'

10 years ago

Duration 7:35

The 28-year-old speaks at a news conference for the first time after being imprisoned for nearly 13 years

"I would like to thank the Canadian public for trusting me and giving me a chance. It might be some time, but I will prove to them that I am more than what they thought of me and I'll prove to them that I'm a good person. Thank you very much."- Omar Khadr

Omar Khadr, in the flesh... and in his own words. That was May 7th, the first time Canadians had a chance to see his face or hear his voice, outside of detention, when he was released on bail.

 He's 28 now, but was 15-years-old when he was apprehended after a firefight in Afghanistan that left U.S. soldier Christopher Speer dead and sent Omar Khadr to Guantanamo Bay for a decade, before his transfer to Canadian prisons in 2012. He has since recanted his Guantanamo confessions.

And he's waiting to appeal his U.S. convictions. And as he does, he's tasting freedom for the first time in nearly 13 years... living in the Edmonton home of his lawyer, Dennis Edney.

The documentary "Omar Khadr: Out of the Shadows", is a collaboration between the CBC, the Toronto Star and White Pine Pictures. It airs tonight on CBC-TV at 9 p.m. local time.

Here is a Preview:

Exclusive excerpts from the documentary Omar Khadr: Out of the Shadows

10 years ago

Duration 1:37

Omar Khadr talks openly about the moment he allegedly engaged American forces leading to his 13 years of detention. (From a collaboration between the CBC, the Toronto Star and White Pine Pictures.)

Michelle Shephard is the film's co-director with Patrick Reed. She is also the national security reporter for The Toronto Star and author of "Guantanamo's Child: The Untold Story of Omar Khadr."

Michelle Shephard joined us in our Toronto studio. 

This segment was produced by The Current's Kristin Nelson.