Canada Abandons Balfour to Hizb’Allah
Charles Johnson
Thu Aug 21, 2003 at 8:43 pm PDT • Views: 156
Canadian Bruce Balfour, who went to Lebanon as part of a religious group’s efforts to plant cedar trees and was arrested because he had visited Israel, will face a Lebanese military tribunal on charges of “collaborating” with Israel—and the Canadian government is apparently going to leave him twisting in the wind. (Hat tip: Stan B.)
Prosecutors say Balfour wanted to locate military positions of the Lebanese army and the militant group Hezbollah, so he could pass the information to Israel. Under Lebanese law, collaborating with Israel is punishable by up to three years in jail.
Balfour has visited Israel in the past. He has been in a Lebanese prison since his arrest July 10, at the Beirut airport, and Canadian officials weren’t immediately notified.
His trial was to be wrapped up Wednesday, but the judges wanted to hear from more witnesses and put the case over to Aug. 27, a department of foreign affairs spokesman says. A verdict is expected that day.
Canadian consular officials attended the trial.
Balfour’s lawyer, Georges Assaf, says he’s optimistc about the outcome of the case.
Larry Heather, who belongs to the same religious group as Balfour, is concerned his friend is not getting a fair trial.
“I’m not overly optimistic, given the state of government in Lebanon today,” he said. “It’s influenced by Syria and by the Hezbollah. I do pray for the best.”
Frank says: