Judge overturns security certificate against Charkaoui

MONTREAL – In a decision released Wednesday, a Federal Court judge not only quashed a security certificate against Adil Charkaoui once and for all, but refused the government’s request to appeal the decision.

Judge Danielle Tremblay-Lamer said that Charkaoui would have to file a separate action if he wished to sue the government.

Charkaoui, who has fought tirelessly for the past six years to remove the moniker of terrorist from his name, said he was very happy with the decision.

"But, and there is always a but, I want the government to apologize and compensate me for all the years I didn’t work, couldn’t travel and the damage this information did to my reputation."

The Moroccan-born father of three was arrested in 2003 and detained for almost two years before being released under virtual house arrest.

The evidence against him was never revealed to him or his lawyers.