17 Canadians in custody in Iraq

[Judi Lynn]

POSTED AT 6:24 AM EST Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004

17 Canadians in custody in Iraq


By COLIN FREEZE and JEFF GRAY
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

At least 17 people from Canada are under U.S. guard at a camp in Iraq after an American crackdown against a shadowy militant group that has vowed to overthrow the government of neighbouring Iran.

Foreign Affairs officials said last night they had not determined the status of the men and women who are among 3,800 members of the People's Mujahedeen under U.S. guard in the organization's camp at Ashraf, about 200 kilometres north of Baghdad.

Those linked to Canada include citizens and permanent residents, said Ottawa immigration lawyer Warren Creates, who represents the 17. At least six are women.

The group, also known as the Mujahedeen Khalq, was put under a kind of "protective custody" by U.S. forces in early December, Mr. Creates said.

The move was made after the group made a deal with the Pentagon to turn over its arms to U.S. troops to avoid being treated as terrorists.
(snip/...)

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040106.rmujah0106/BNStory/National/