OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear the case of an Ottawa sociology professor wanted by French authorities in a decades-old terrorism case.
The high court refused today to examine Hassan Diab’s appeal, bringing him a big step closer to being extradited to France to face questions about the 1980 bombing of a Paris synagogue.
In keeping with its custom, the Supreme Court gave no reason for its decision.
In arguments filed with the high court, Diab’s lawyers said it was time to settle key legal questions about the use of unproven intelligence in a criminal prosecution.
They contend France’s reliance on secret information raises basic issues of constitutionality and procedural fairness.
Another key element of the case is the reliability of evidence that has been revealed — especially handwriting on a hotel registration card allegedly penned by Diab.
