 | This article's lead section may be too long. (July 2022) |
Amer el-Maati[1] | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 25, 1963[1] Kuwait |
Amro Badr Eldin Abou el-Maati (born May 25, 1963 in Kuwait; also known as Amer el-Maati) is a Kuwaiti-Canadian alleged member of al-Qaeda. He is wanted for questioning by the FBI for having attended flight school and having discussed hijacking a Canadian plane to fly into American buildings.[2] He has been referred to as "Canada's most wanted terrorist".[3]
El-Maati's brother was one of a number of Canadians illegally renditioned to Syria to face torture in the years following the September 11 attacks, ostensibly because of interest in Amer, although officials did not give any reason for their sudden interest and accusations against el-Maati.[4][better source needed]
The case against el-Maati appears to consist of documents addressed to him being found in an office used by al-Qaeda, although the reporter who found them insisted it was possible they had been stolen by the militant group to commit identity theft.[citation needed] Since then, his brother has questioned whether the false confessions he gave under torture played any role in Amer's continued branding as a "terrorist", despite the fact neither Canada nor the United States seem to have even issued an arrest warrant for him.[5]
El-Maati's father has protested the vilification of both his sons, claiming they were being used by the Department of Homeland Security to keep fear and suspicion high in the United States, particularly against Canadian-Arabs.[6] His opinions were echoed by Toronto cleric, Aly Hindy, who has known the family for years and claimed that the FBI's announcement was "laughable".[7]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
seekingwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
latestwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
emmawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Edmonton Journal, "FBI won't explain sudden interest in terrorism suspect", November 13, 2002
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kerrywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ CTV News, Father claims his son is innocent
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