Khadr vs Martin!

What do Omar Khadr and Brenda Martin have in common? They both got caught in arresting situations outside of Canada. Only one however has been able (thus far anyways) to convince authorities to get them back to Canada.

The Omar Khadr case is back in the media spotlight. Khadr’s lawyers are trying to convince authorities that the only way he can get a fair trial is if he is transferred back to Canada. He is currently being held by the U.S. military at Guantanamo Bay and has been in their custody for almost 6 years. The case has been profiled on the CBS television program 60 Minutes because he is the youngest terrorist captured, 15 at the time. The military case is based on circumstantial evidence. In July 2002, a U.S. military patrol was ambushed in Afghanistan. Soldiers called in for air strikes and the compound was destroyed. Thinking that no one could have survived the 500 pound bombs, soldiers entered the compound. They were confronted by someone tossing a grenade in their direction and a medic was killed. Although no one actually saw Khadr toss the grenade, he was the only one still alive that could have thrown the grenade when soldiers finally entered the compound.

The U.S. military has already released many so-called enemy combatants. They are obviously of the view that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with their case against Khadr. What exactly are his lawyers hoping to achieve by having his case heard in Canada? Do they feel the acquittal opportunities are greater here?

Omar Khadr, and for whatever reason, was in a known al Qaeda area of Afghanistan. By being in an area where conflict with U.S. military forces was almost inevitable, he assumed the consequences and risk of that decision. The U.S. captured him and they should deal with it. What do you think? db