Friday, March 20, 2009
John Baird is expected to make a statement next week on the case of Bashir Makhtal, a Toronto man held in Ethiopia on terrorism charges.
A spokesman for Baird said the minister had yet to review a report by Canadian consular officials who attended Makhtal's appearance in court on Thursday.
Makhtal, a Canadian citizen, has been held for two years. His case was adjourned to April 20.
According to a BBC report, prosecutors failed to produce any witnesses, saying they were all in the Somali region and could not reach the court.
Baird, minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, said earlier this week that the Canadian government was watching closely to see if Makhtal would receive a fair trial. Baird has previously said he would consider going to Ethiopia to press for Makhtal's release.
Born in Ethiopia, Makhtal is an ethnic Somali who immigrated to Canada in 1991. The Ethiopian government alleges that he was a leader of a separatist group. He denies the charges.
Source: Ottawa Citizen, Mar 20, 2009