Canadian arrested in Paris synagogue bombing

On October 3, 1980 the Paris synagogue on rue Copernic was bombed, killing four people and injuring 24 others. The bombing led to a massive protest in the streets of Paris but the murderers were not caught -- perhaps that has now changed?

Canadian arrested in Paris synagogue bombing
TheStar.com - Canada - Canadian arrested in Paris synagogue bombing
November 13, 2008 THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA – A part-time sociology instructor at the University of Ottawa has been arrested and could face extradition to France in connection with the fatal bombing of a Paris synagogue in 1980.

Hassan Diab was taken into custody today on a provisional extradition warrant issued at the request of French authorities, said Christian Girouard, a spokesman for the federal Justice Department.

The RCMP would not comment in detail, or even refer to Diab by name, but confirmed that officers made the arrest at a private residence in Gatineau, Que., just across the Ottawa River from the national capital.

Cpl. Jean Hainey said the arrest was carried out without incident and the man was being held in Ottawa pending court proceedings.

Girouard said the next step would likely be a bail hearing, normally held within 24 hours of detention in such cases.

Under Canadian law, French officials will have 45 days to provide further legal details to back up their extradition request, he said.

Diab's name first surfaced in French news reports last year in connection with the 1980 attack that killed four people and injured 20 others.

He has told the Paris daily Le Figaro he had nothing to do with the bombing and is a victim of mistaken identity.

There was no comment by the University of Ottawa following the arrest, and officials at the French Embassy in Ottawa also declined to speak about the case.

In Paris, Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie issued a statement praising the "excellent co-operation" between French police and intelligence services and Canadian authorities, but provided no further details.

Another official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with French judicial policy, said the arrest was sought by anti-terrorist judges investigating the 1980 attack.

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