Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Rendition Victim Loses US Torture Appeal

Technicality KOs case at center of recent movie

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 1, 2008 7:56 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – A Canadian software engineer has lost an appeal against the US for his torture in Syria on a technicality, Reuters reports. Syrian-born Maher Arar, whose story inspired the Hollywood movie Rendition, was forced off a flight in New York in 2002 and shipped to Syria, where he says he was tortured for more than a year.

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Arar failed to establish that a US court had the right to hear his case because he's an alien who never technically entered American jurisdiction. Arar's attorney blasted the decision, which he said allowed the use of the immigration process as a "guise to send someone to be tortured." The case has rattled US-Canadian relations. Condoleezza Rice has admitted the US mishandled the case—but hasn't apologized.

Maher Arar talks with reporters in Ottawa last year. Canada formally asked the Bush administration to remove torture victim Arar from any lists that would prevent him from flying to the US.
Maher Arar talks with reporters in Ottawa last year. Canada formally asked the Bush administration to remove torture victim Arar from any lists that would prevent him from flying to the US.   (AP Photo/Tom Hanson, The Canadian Press)
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper reads a statement concerning Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's comments that the deportation of Canadian engineer Maher Arar was not handled properly.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper reads a statement concerning Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's comments that the deportation of Canadian engineer Maher Arar was not handled properly.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Tom Hanson)
Syrian-Canadian Arar Mahar testifies via video conference at a House Joint Oversight Hearing last year on his experiences being arrested by US officials and shipped to Syria, where he was tortured.
Syrian-Canadian Arar Mahar testifies via video conference at a House Joint Oversight Hearing last year on his experiences being arrested by US officials and shipped to Syria, where he was tortured.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Maher Arar listens to a question in Ottawa ilast year at a hearing.
Maher Arar listens to a question in Ottawa ilast year at a hearing.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Angry reaction to ruling
Canadian Press

Arar furious
Canada.com

 
rendition • torture • Syria • Canada • Condoleezza Rice • Maher Arar

More Newser Stories

'Tortured' Rendition Victim Told He Can't Sue

US Makes Canadian Torture List

Syria Releases Mastermind of 7/7 Bombing

Torture Kills Hundreds of Syrian Prisoners

Rice: Syria on Verge of Civil War
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne