"We Await Diab's Arrival in Paris as a Blow Against Global Terrorism and Antisemitism."

Paris, 6 June 2011

Here follows a statement from Dr. Shimon Samuels, Simon Wiesenthal Centre's Director for International Relations, based in Paris : 

"Ontario Supreme Court Justice, Robert Maranger, today committed Hassan Diab for extradition to France on grounds of responsability in the October 1980 Paris Copernic Synagogue bombing. 

This all but concludes over two years of legal proceedings and technical stratagems of the defense and now requires only the endorsement of the Canadian Justice Minister. 

Diab's arrival in Paris will provide the victims and their families with closure after a wait of more than 30 years. 

The French tribunal will grant a fair trial and justice to the accused, which, however, can never compensate for the three decades of life and liberty denied to the victims of Copernic. 

The Wiesenthal Centre calls on Canadian Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to finally allow that justice to take its course. 
We await Diab in Paris with intense anticipation as a blow against global terrorism and antisemitism and commend the Canadian justice system accordingly."