An Algerian man has been inspired to sue the Canadian government for $50 million by the reported $10.5 million dollar settlement given to Omar Khadr earlier this year. The unproven allegations by Djamel Ameziane, who was never charged or prosecuted, is based on Canada’s alleged co-operation with the US at a time of abuse of detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Ameziane’s Edmonton lawyer says the subject requires a public inquiry. In a draft statement of claim obtained by The Canadian Press, Ameziane is seeking the damages on the grounds that Canada’s security services co-operated with their US counterparts even though they knew the Americans were abusing him. Canadian intelligence, the suit alleges, began sharing information with the Americans after failing to pick up on the 1999 “Millennium plot” in which Ahmed Ressam, another Algerian who had been living in Montreal, aimed to blow up the Los Angeles airport.
READ ABOUT OMAR KHADR
After 9/11, Canadian agents interrogated Ameziane at the infamous American prison in Cuba, as they did Canada’s Omar Khadr, according to the claim. The US detained Ameziane at Guantanamo Bay for more than 11 years until his release in December 2013. “For many years, I had the idea of suing the Canadian government but didn’t know how and honestly didn’t know it was possible until I read the news about the settlement of Omar Khadr, who was my fellow inmate in Guantanamo Bay,” Ameziane said. “The action I am taking may also make (Canadian officials) think twice before acting against the interests of Canada and Canada’s human values.”
