Gitmo Detainee Sues Canada For Allowing U.S. To Torture Him

EDMONTON, ALBERTA (CN) - Omar Khadr, the lone Canadian detainee held at Guantanamo Bay since 2002, has sued the Canadian government for not repatriating him from the notorious prison where he says he's faced torture at the hands of U.S. officials.

In federal lawsuit, Khadr claims he's been held in "unlawful detention" since he was 15. The Canadian government's handling of his case has been "perverse," he says, and violates the country's obligations under international law.

"Since being taken prisoner, the applicant has been subjected to torture, cruel and inhumane treatment, and 'enhanced interrogation techniques' by officials of the United States," the application states.

Khadr claims he's been discriminated against for his nationality and denied the right to counsel and a fair trial. His case "'shocks the conscience' of the Canadian public," the application states.

Despite the fact that the federal court of Canada and the Supreme Courts of both the United States and Canada have found Khadr's detention to be illegal, he remains at Guantanamo, accused of throwing a grenade that killed a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan, he says.

"The applicant's detention and prosecution in Guantanamo Bay is, and has always been unlawful," the application states.

Defendants include the Prime Minister of Canada, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Services and the commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as respondents.

Khadr is represented by Nathan Whitling with Parlee McLaws.

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