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Jan. 22, 2005. 08:29 AM
Source: THE TORONTO STAR www.thestar.com U.S. CLAIMS ARAR SUIT A RISK TO NATIONAL SECURITY
MICHELLE SHEPHARD STAFF REPORTER
The United States government is attempting to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Syrian-Canadian Maher Arar, claiming the litigation would jeopardize national security.
Invoking the rarely used "state secrets privilege," U.S. Department of Justice lawyers filed a motion with the New York eastern district court this week, stating that the release of any information concerning the U.S.'s involvement in Arar's deportation to Syria could jeopardize "intelligence, foreign policy and national security interests of the United States."
Lawyers with New York's Centre for Constitutional Rights, who filed the lawsuit on Arar's behalf a year ago, said the government is abusing claims of national security in order to avoid a review of its policies and handling of terrorism suspects.
"They're asking the court to sanction their cover-up basically," lawyer Maria LaHood said yesterday.
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