Anser Farooq

Anser Farooq is a Canadian defence attorney based in Mississauga, Ontario, who gained notability defending five[1] suspects during the Toronto terrorism case. He had initially refused to name which suspects he was defending,[2] but three were later revealed as Asad Ansari,[3] Ibrahim Aboud and Qayyum Jamal.

Notable Clients

Ibrahim Aboud: On August 25, 2006, Aboud became the second adult to be released from custody.[4] On April 16, 2008, Aboud was completely vindicated of all the remaining charges.

Qayyum Jamal: On November 5, 2007, Jamal became the third adult to be granted bail. He had been in custody for over 17 months. The bomb conspiracy charge against him was also dropped. Mr. Farooq said, "we were able to establish, during the preliminary inquiry, that there were a lot of problems with the Crown's case" and evidence elicited during the preliminary inquiry set the stage for Mr. Jamal's release.[5] On April 16, 2008, all the remaining charges against Jamal were dropped.[6]

Ayad Mejid: Another of Farooq's cases includes that of Mejid; who was arrested on October 23, 2007. The charges against Mejid were laid by the Toronto police on information provided by Canadian Security Intelligence Services (CSIS) agents.[7][8] On October 6, 2010; some three years from the date of the charges, Mejid was vindicated. “The CSIS conduct in seizing and searching Mr. Mejid’s computer in the circumstances of false misrepresentations is reprehensible,” Judge Kelly wrote. Justice Kelly also recognized the threats and intimidation levelled against Mr. Mejid by the Canadian Security Intelligence Services (CSIS) in the handing over of his computer.[9] In April 2011 Majid filed a $10- million lawsuite against the government.[10]

Khurrum Sher: Mr. Farooq is also counsel for Sher, who is alleged to have participated in the alleged Ottawa terrorism case. Dr. Sher is a Canadian Idol contestant alleged to be involved in criminal wrongdoing. On August 27, 21010, Farooq was interviewed extensively on the allegations faced by his client and the intended course of action. [11] On October 13, 2010, Sher was released on bail.[12][13]

Mohamed Hersi: Farooq is also counsel for Hersi, who was arrested at Toronto Pearson Airport and is alleged to have designs of joining Al Shabab, the Al Qaeda-inspired movement in Somalia. Hersi’s arrest on March 31, 2011 raised concern for the Somali Community in Canada.[14] After a two-day hearing Hersi was released on bail April 29, 2011.[15] [16] [17] [18]

Unnamed alleged War Criminal: The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) held a press conference to release the names and pictures of 30 men suspected of war crimes or crimes against humanity.[19][20][21][22] Among those originally named was Khalil Noori. Noori protested his inclusion and retained the service of Farooq.[23]Farooq was interviewed extensively on Sun Media and maintained that his client ought not to be included in the list and that the inclusion of Noori was defamatory and a disingenuous act on the part of the CBSA.[24] Khalil was eventually removed from the CBSA web site and has since then launched a million dollar claim.[25]

Personal Arrest

Farooq was charged in relation to a domestic-related incident. Peel Regional Police Const. Fiona Thivierge confirmed that Farooq was arrested and held for bail on November 26, 2014. Farooq confirmed in an interview that he was charged with assault and uttering threats against his wife. The case is pending.[26][27]

References

  1. ↑ Hasan, Khalid. Daily Times Pakistan, "Police planted evidence: Terrorists’ arrest in Toronto was a sting operation" , June 6, 2006
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ The Epoch Times Another Canada Terror Suspect Denied Bail, Aug 03, 2006
  4. ↑ "globeandmail.com: Another terror suspect gets granted bail". Toronto.
  5. ↑ "CTV News | Top Stories - Breaking News - Top News Headlines". Ctv.ca. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  6. ↑ Teotonio, Isabel (16 April 2008). "So-called terror zealot vindicated". The Star (Toronto). Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  7. ↑ Shephard, Michelle (31 March 2009). "Is Ayad Mejid a terrorist, a pedophile or a victim?". Toronto Star.
  8. ↑
  9. ↑ Colin Freeze (2012-08-23). "Judge spikes child-porn case against Muslim preacher targeted by CSIS". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  10. ↑ Tuesday, March 19, 2013 11:13 PM EDT Facebook Twitter RSS (2011-05-27). "Brampton man sues government alleging CSIS harassed him | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  11. ↑ "AOL On Homepage". Video.aol.ca. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  12. ↑ Canada (2010-10-14). "Terror suspect out on bail". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  13. ↑ Tuesday, March 19, 2013 11:14 PM EDT Facebook Twitter RSS (2010-10-13). "Doctor arrested in terror plot gets bail under strict conditions | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  14. ↑ Tuesday, March 19, 2013 11:14 PM EDT Facebook Twitter RSS (2011-03-31). "U of T graduate’s arrest on terror charges alarms Toronto Somalis | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  15. ↑ "Terror suspect Mohamed Hersi released on bail | Posted Toronto | National Post". News.nationalpost.com. 2011-04-29. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ "Terror suspect granted bail in Brampton | CTV Toronto News". Toronto.ctv.ca. 2011-04-29. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  18. ↑ Tuesday, March 19, 2013 11:14 PM EDT Facebook Twitter RSS (2011-04-29). "Bail for Toronto man arrested on terrorism charges | Toronto Star". Thestar.com. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  19. ↑ "Graphic: The men in Canada wanted for war crimes | News | National Post". News.nationalpost.com. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  20. ↑ "Hunt on for suspected war criminals - Canada - Canoe.ca". Cnews.canoe.ca. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  21. ↑ "First war crimes suspect busted - Crime - Canoe.ca". Cnews.canoe.ca. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  22. ↑ "Photos: CBSA releases list of 32 wanted fugitives | News | National Post". News.nationalpost.com. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  23. ↑ "We're still waiting for an Anser... Farooq". YouTube. 2011-08-02. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  24. ↑ "Sun TV live interview with Anser Farooq". YouTube. 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  25. ↑ http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/wc-cg/menu-eng.html.
  26. ↑ http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/5157522-high-profile-lawyer-facing-assault-threat-charges/
  27. ↑ http://www.ourwindsor.ca/news-story/5157522-high-profile-lawyer-facing-assault-threat-charges/

External links